tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118703103172884592024-02-08T11:19:33.222+11:00Andrew Meades' Australian AdventureA blog about my working holiday in OzUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-80024863165602680822010-08-25T12:08:00.003+10:002010-08-25T12:15:58.936+10:00GTA Gum Removal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8iLw1kZBCkH7t5gCTN9IlSwJlAXMdi0Jy_iFsDcQ54C99nGAVbnomiLlK9iXGsS2_6YyCcLf2fjSh_A-z0oWe_Y_DkzOCzapAfyiXY5zzO_L9KI4aiS2uYXOSCbcLZ1Mq7SrWOrVRraM/s1600/front.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8iLw1kZBCkH7t5gCTN9IlSwJlAXMdi0Jy_iFsDcQ54C99nGAVbnomiLlK9iXGsS2_6YyCcLf2fjSh_A-z0oWe_Y_DkzOCzapAfyiXY5zzO_L9KI4aiS2uYXOSCbcLZ1Mq7SrWOrVRraM/s400/front.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509165292854449218" /></a><br />If anyone is looking for gum removal, please head to our <a href="http://www.gtagum.com/">website</a> or give me a call at 647-801-5783.<br /><br />We were on City TV! Check out the video!<br /><br /><a href="http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/594266224001/Machine-Removes-Gum-From-Sidewalk/">http://citynews.video.citytv.com/video/594266224001/Machine-Removes-Gum-From-Sidewalk/<br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-65146411511601806152009-12-26T03:56:00.001+11:002009-12-26T03:57:42.243+11:00Merry ChristmasMerry Christmas everyone! Hope your holidays are a blast!<br /><br />AndrewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-8432438893284701952009-11-19T04:21:00.000+11:002009-11-21T14:16:47.482+11:00Prospective SWAPPERS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJNnT56uUTBkTZ1BABJxA955DH0MjkM1w6f-D1lN5KaI3L-VbOXCjqfruRdI0cd017lFR6beCm9gbulppPu_1gtlFHwhONmhmY0U2NtP0bQ0WtGeCjMj03YES_abXV-wIb2M_JQFgAqEA/s1600-h/100_0782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJNnT56uUTBkTZ1BABJxA955DH0MjkM1w6f-D1lN5KaI3L-VbOXCjqfruRdI0cd017lFR6beCm9gbulppPu_1gtlFHwhONmhmY0U2NtP0bQ0WtGeCjMj03YES_abXV-wIb2M_JQFgAqEA/s400/100_0782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361502372940076546" border="0" /></a>So I am back from my working holiday down under. For all of you considering whether to apply for SWAP, or just considering going to Australia in general, here is a little advice for you.<br /><br />Firstly, <span style="font-weight: bold;">SWAP = IEP (International Exchange Program)</span> in Australia. IEP has two offices, one in Melbourne, one in Sydney. Both are filled with people there to help out travelers while they are down under. Check out their website <a href="http://www.iep.org.au/active/default.asp">here.</a> It's not the best looking, but once you can log in as a member, you get access to helpful info and links; applying for an Aussie bank account, phones, etc, can be found there. Also, there is a forum where you can arrange meetings with other IEPers, which leads me to my next point.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't be afraid to go alone.</span> I headed to Australia on my own. Making new friends there is one of the easiest things you will do. Unless you are really awkward, or socially dysfunctional, you'll meet lots of people in no time. Travellers want to meet other travellers, simple as that. You'll meet people from all over the world, and it will blow your mind. :P<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Be prepared</span>. Your already doing the research if your reading this, so good on ya mate. Keep it up. It's best to go with a general plan in mind of what you want to do when you're there. It can be a little overwhelming awesome once you arrive, so knowing what you need to get done helps. I can't really say much on this since I'm not the best to sticking to a plan myself, but it does help if you've got one.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Book your Greyhound buses online, and more than 24 hours in advance.</span> Travelling by Greyhound buses is a great way to go. The network they have there is awesome; you can access the entire country! Just make sure to book online, as I once booked a bus over the phone for myself and my friend, and the guy screwed up and only booked my friend on the bus. So, not being on the list, I had to wait and see if there was enough seats on a bus I couldn't afford to miss because of my schedule. It was brutal. There ended up being 1 spot left, and 2 people who needed it (the other person had had the same mistake). We both managed to get on though, so all was well. Book well enough in advance as well; not being on the list sucks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Watch out for GOON.</span> What is goon you ask? It is cheap boxed wine. Dirt cheap. $10-15 for a 4L box cheap. We don't really have goon here in Ontario (probably Canada as well) like they do. It's what the Aussies grow up drinking, so they are well aware of it. Basically, you can get really really drunk for little money. You'll turn to it when your budget demands, I'm sure. Just be careful. It has very little taste and takes awhile to hit you, so you are warned. My first experience with it was an absolute nightmare. I've got a post about it somewhere on here, but I'm not proud of it so I won't link.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Learn how to surf.</span> Just do it. That is the thing that I am most proud of now that I'm back; give me a board and some nice waves and I'll rip it up. I tell everyone, and everyone is jealous.<br /><br />Umm, what else? <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Have fun.</span> You're going to have the time of your life. Meet new people. Try things that scare you. Take a million pictures. Remember forever. (Something like this blog helps)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wanna see what fun you can have? </span>Check out these posts.</span> Here are some of the really cool things I did while down there. My trip sorta got cut short (poor financial managment and my lil bro became sick) but I still loved every minute of it. I am still working on posts for the ladder half of my trip, but so far the really cool ones are:<br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/06/awesome-fraser-island-camping-day-1.html"><br /></a>Self-drive Camping on Fraser Island.<br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/05/orientation-at-rainbow-beach-before.html">An orientation at Rainbow beach before heading out camping...</a><br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/06/awesome-fraser-island-camping-day-1.html">Awesome Fraser Island Camping Day 1</a><br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/06/awesome-fraser-camping-adventure-day-2.html">Awesome Fraser Island Camping Day 2</a><br />Awesome Fraser Island Camping Day 3 (almost done)<br /><br />The hour I spent in Noosa when it wasn't raining.<br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/05/oh-noosa-you-could-have-been-so.html">Oh Noosa you could have been so wonderful...</a><br /><br />Surfers Paradise.<br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/05/surfers-paradise-really-looks-like.html">Surfers paradise really looks like a surfers paradise...</a><br /><br />Surf camp at Spot X<br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/05/spot-x-surf-camp-and-whats-going-on-in.html">Spot X Surf camp and whats going on in Byron Bay...</a><br /><br />How I felt on my first day.<br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2008/11/day-1-here.html">Day 1 - Here.</a><br /><br />I lived in Sydney for 5 months. Here are some of the places/things you should check out if you can.<br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/05/5-months-and-id-never-been-to-watsons.html">Watson's Bay</a><br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/04/sydney-swans-v-carlton-blues-and.html">Watch a Sydney Swans game</a><br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/03/botanical-garden-photos.html">Sydney Botanical Gardens</a><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/01/nye-sydney.html"><br />NYE in Sydney</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2282729&id=120809150&l=f367695e9d">Blue Mountains and the Jenolean Caves</a> (just learnt facebook public links can expire)<br /> <a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2009/04/lostforgotten-videos-of-blue.html">Videos from the mountains/caves</a><br /><br /><br />Well I hope this helps a bit if you're trying to decide. I wish you all the best of luck, and safe travels. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. I was in the same position and I don't mind trying to help :)<br /><br />Cheers mate,<br /><br />Andrew Meades<br /><br /><a href="http://andrewsinoz.blogspot.com/2008/11/day-1-here.html"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-63568397200253595112009-09-30T11:39:00.002+10:002009-09-30T11:55:11.956+10:00Google Wave - Google's newest way to communicate...Hey all who come here, I would like to show you Google Wave; it's basically Google's answer to 'What would it be like if email was invented now?'. It's a simple to use program combining Email + Social Networking + Instant Messaging. <span style="font-weight:bold;">This can help you share your traveling experience easier!</span><br /><br />Watch the first 20 mins for a demonstration.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v_UyVmITiYQ&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v_UyVmITiYQ&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Just of the top of my head, some things that this could have helped me, and can help you, when blogging or communicating abroad.<br /><br />1. It makes sharing pictures between people much easier. No more browsing 4 different facebook albums.<br /><br />2. Posting about your experience becomes simpler too with the Bloggy add-on. <br /><br />3. Also, you can get proper feedback from people who see the blog, answer questions right on the page and so everyone can see them.<br /><br />4. There are add-ons for Video/Audio chats, so if everyone get this (which I hope they do when its released) it's easy to communicate. I had to go around and get all my friends and family to download Skype so I could video chat with them, and they were rarely ever signed on. <br /><br />Those are just a couple off the top of my head. I hope as a future or current traveler you can appreciate how this will make sharing your travels with everyone easier.<br /><br />It's not out just yet but they are giving out 100,000 invites tomorrow for the public to try. You'll probably have to wait until all the bugs are cleaned out, but that's okay!<br /><br />Hope all is well,<br /><br />Any questions feel free to ask,<br /><br />AndrewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-2608509653713101132009-09-21T04:01:00.003+10:002009-09-21T04:05:24.909+10:00New Beer TrickThis weekend I invented a new way to open a beer with some buddies. It involves a golf club + bottle opener + a beer. Check it out! Obviously the one smashing the beer is me. I'm not the best at golf...<br /><br /><br /><object alt="How To Open A Beer Funny Videos" height="289" width="464"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/1343074"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://embed.break.com/1343074" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" height="289" width="464"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/9/how-to-open-a-beer-1343074.html">How To Open A Beer</a> - Watch more <a href="http://www.break.com/">Funny Videos</a><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-13136453630141739822009-06-18T03:07:00.022+10:002009-06-18T07:12:05.513+10:00Awesome Fraser Island camping Day 2<div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center; cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v6O8TfJWGda97mVIACHQPRYYRMCI2y8n_2m0X21RX7MYP1Wk8i8qE0b1NMTRN-FfCvRa7L9dlA3UPrl0Ilj0EN-PTMsDbjDNkSN3X1hpoqj63pZTHEk1by7tp4wBmHIeluID9A81eRey/s400/CIMG4422.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348387583489114706" /></div><div align="center"> The rising sun woke all of us up nice and early. Some of us were a little hungover, the rest, like myself, were doing just fine. Once up, it was time to pack everything and get breakfast cooking. Breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs with tomato and onion with bread (there was no real easy way make toast). The rest of the groups we had camped with were ahead of us leaving, but we took our time and made sure to get a nice meal in. Apparently, one of the groups left their food outside and had most of it taken by several dingos (which we never saw). Sucked to be them :P</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfha3bugQt2z_jKztM4jRENCi7o559XBDJ4Gn9lgvwc79rk2xfkcGYwzwW2R-y7YOE9LP6WbT4DHr6V7vLAGptOzoeYiZNVdJBhNLyjsReQwdXZnhYlgpjM0AP2btDs2eJ_1Mp5EFGrDl8/s400/100_0854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348367110787044226" /><br /></div><div align="center">Breakfast was delicious. Mmm.</div><div align="center"><br />We left and headed back South down the island. The itinerary suggested that we head back to town, stock up on ice, and then continue to Lake Mackenzie, which is what we planned to do. On our way back down we hit a traffic jam. There was a huge line-up of cars waiting to access a one lane route around rocks on the beach. Someone told us that a truck had gotten stuck and was waiting to be towed and everyone was waiting on that. <br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br />So what were we to do? Instead of waiting in line, we backtracked a few minutes to a place called Eli Creek, a beautiful fresh water creek, and planned to play there a bit and wait for the line-up to dissolve. Eli Creek was sweet! A group of us walked to the beginning of it and swam down. I loved it!!! The water was crystal clear and you look beside and see small fish swimming along with you. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx5UpH1t5hP1C-4UBd4O2PmARfqKemF3EkqsWoioF7TcvJUBJQPlu1GEn9LAH6aF2MdmWWYr-BWDna6W-4-_3eZ5S_8Km1ci0xf1kScH5sMHC44A67va8_l0GyfR0iXDAy-fEADbt8VhD/s400/100_0862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348367113071186146" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheijgAIyR6YeJhtmhY4K593UpKufic4twMYW6QGEIH5m6O4LuusIrGz0tFMKFjcdIPgPjroay1m_pk1cbS-EAvZgmp4-0Sk7IzJXFAPaBkOT3MuVh4_X8wQtmB62shYVUgPtj4RjkdUR4X/s400/P5230479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348389598496879330" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajdHQCp7vpwtIvHv3dR45Aa8nIGl4OxyvPSzZRgpdS6vmgl39yY1RqIq-4uiDYQZGthk2JCDlnZj-CeE2TmMsgB1P2IUlX2SJZMILO28GPkBY1gw7N5BlThhNMUe301ENDWeWSgAJZqbb/s400/P5230477.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348388822089991042" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNxD_4sQeX1Dorwn2z1FORZIGfSc-6zsXb8SiTl2WIp3Irhut0FLOvobmzWJyrZguiFaD4BxVp1Sk71vNjul458oi75gn11nHOVm8XC6Hm69PaCirbiyT0Y4yVZ87qAIfut6Zc_yDqQwH/s400/P5230482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348389601061834626" /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wak1s382U1G1Sa1ztYu-IJ_Ol__OAgLy3NgHsqWJaH33UkRkfpdWuRZ09wTSJKDAfz1F20jrlqKkx_KcABKo-HE1TxmpNhMOXOGiqm_YDLWRXhLq2dFF1ddr6A2Jkq2ow__ImCCM_VlC/s400/100_0863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348367120926251122" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YQHNyqyzrmbzW2-6Qhh3c7NGcVBxef_dU0OWwNzOiMSMyyqwxvo1mrSdBEHqsaNUGCL4tG4HxOwbSmtgjjhbr8LQGzulvxNLhw04Rn22W7fe5Sfnvt-XywHXazjjxICVdC0Yr_kZCzXt/s400/CIMG4428.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348387593599521842" /><br /></div><div align="center">You would often see planes fly by and some would land right on the beach.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">After we were done, it was time to see how the line was doing. Unfortunately, it had not lessened at all. In fact, it was slightly larger than when we left it. Shitty. There were lots of trucks hauling 25ft+ boats from a fishing competition that was being held on the island. It had ended I guess, and everyone was in a rush to get home. Watching a truck pull its massive boat up some the tracks was wild as they grew quite steep and rocky at times. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Anyways, so here we were stuck in massive line-ups waiting to get past the 3 rock by-passes so we could get to the small town on the island. At one point everyone in the back jumped out to walk along the beach, which was faster than the truck was headed.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlpxsraKGUTSu5u99QQnQUiw-BoVpGnY01jJSBU1EiIdNH-FAtQF-Fks6wHLm6GSz-n69EDHwURVw2Ci1aUC0Rv9ma5OldCzRiYUj847W-UL5X7bSDpCWHsmPawHwte9mFLgf0NR9ZQpA/s400/CIMG4430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348388807968256386" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">It ended costing us about 2 hours to get through it all, but we persevered. We made it to the town, stocked up on ice, and met the 3 other groups we'd left with. Along the wait, C.J. heard from another driver that a big storm was on its way and that we should camp inland tonight. We made plans for that and decided to use the campsite close to Lake Mackenzie, which would let us spend the most time possible at what we'd heard was an amazing place. We let the other groups know that's what our plans were, headed out of town to a water tap, and passed them all again on our way to Lake Mackenzie. We literally drove past them all without stopping figuring that we'd all meet up again at Lake Mack. <br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>That didn't happen... </strong>Take note for tomorrow.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcM6bdDn2EzyQrkvlGFmG9dCI29Uu0wPzmqMM-SUrnl-1iDGZ5c2BkFQy7-jHJSUDvyIO1KXJn5XPlm-vf1-Eal3w0BpY1qbH2f6R75omiP8tzElZNCCMZK-xIJ3ta1YfdYshTY4NCNwx/s400/100_0872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348368228449152946" /><br /></div><div align="center">We trucked it up to the campsite, only to find out it was closed. Fuck.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBwhzlTA9MUnRl2chIPdjT7Y6TBbeYPW_39nuK3p1o3q2tTGjq0xzmUzI7wNv_0jnWPG4BjlSC8GfN2skV9St6N66_l8W_y483AenYHk5k_IEECcFCEvL-vGQcXkFQo7yPYVsQJ4ZYXou/s400/100_0870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348367130305450098" /><br /></div><div align="center">Check out the fences they use to keep away the dingos. Pretty intense. The cables along the ground are electrified. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GHNIZT9tcNdIGPEZ8bNxCxgk9cb4J1thgJmEx1KRzWCDd_n-we8N2u-r7l1Rw7HdpvVxxL3586nsDHxMjN9jKU28r3b4aX1dQi__ofzfHI63MyA4A57Ua5cPrYR4kCx3aYlzkBsB6USA/s400/100_0866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348367124161909362" /></div><div align="center">I found this massive tree here when we stopped to figure what to do next. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">What were we to do? The closed sign suggested some other campsites, so we decided on the closest one, Lake Boomanjin, but since it was much further South, we headed to the lake first.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Even with the crappy on and off rain, and the little sun, it was still absolutely beautiful.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Swimming in Lake Mackenzie was <strong>one of the coolest things I did while Australia.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong><strong><br /></strong></div><div align="center">Check it out:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2l1LkpG1WooUCzsECvBUtNwDJ71UfK1ER6N8y9T76gU2wOOPuytKR8HllDemYySTUuRj83Of_NpUq7C3zqgQp8mKHjot8Yd8ke6JFd04YpHAN6m2ykoB0K03xtxRJiGRZvC-XyyrCWnd/s400/100_0929.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348369987043055058" /></div><div align="center">Even with the clouds, still was great.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">When I got there I immediately noticed a stretch of light blue water, which then sharply darkens. That boundary line in where the lake suddenly dropped much deeper. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOa06UfVC5I8OfHO_z0-ed6sVbbPkqtg1dIlLe7HiwAg5TTnrm1IVOf8HPVlulJDCYSRWsDbDpZfa96VCKEwosZRhlmaBPLSTyWZqI7E4cmnM0QjWIX9P3VcPTKBJERw8HIITjY_DOVHC5/s400/100_0934.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348369989963148754" /><br /></div><div align="center">Look at me, I'm having fun!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Luckily, C.J. had a waterproof digital camera so he was able to take some underwater photos.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickkBAIgzLrumxllxf5DB3iudI7g2t5E5ld4MqUD5HoYEoxQ4prHauY8zIA0AQUlvY0TduNuFNl46-K6O84ihahHDYz4RhyphenhyphenACkW_hNxY2qGcQrAfCKwUuib9I0uhYhgz0GB0vkcC0nj1hf/s400/P5230494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348389606235054946" /><br /></div><div align="center">Here I am diving down to grab some of the bottom.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbhgpjMoGAY5HEve585Ir0GSPYqVz3cs1vL5PbOXCNcJM-LoNUgW9Dq4f8hhB5fT0tg8qKj-cGwUIBkAcZknoyG7c1JPp9QdrnLy_yRtadguShYdg3TwIiepattAWBo-JjVYddeEW3AT_/s400/P5230498.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348389610859524850" /><br /></div><div align="center">Here is a picture of the group of us in Lake Mackenzie.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesLHbGsG5KF4gzFpVq7h1E3TVqCGNpsvnuyiDaFh7nmwhqgCvE3MxZh8UYFypInSnTygTHPAKL9DNs2Rxo6xW5xMd-uDg2ghNrBeGkhiVnwlGtLtkq0l8GL3LHYiyXHu3tgeeWIyFV8wp/s400/P5230507.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348389620865465298" /><br /></div><div align="center">I dove down pretty deep and took this shot of C.J., Ashley, and Connor.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Lack Mackenzie is the clearest lake I have ever seen. Swimming in this lake was wonderful. You can see people at distances away that you wouldn't think possible underwater. I tasted a bit of the water to see if it was salty at all. It. Even. Tasted. Good. Take that as a measure of just how wickedly awesome this place was. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nWhVpK98ExL_K90JDYLsC4wGSEr_q_SeEAIdCMhzMZDlQJp82hRoeygYoq_R3i3ygIeELpJ1xlR1kd6pfM6HqxttMZBEh6owaJuEeXTblvfRgScQvsL29WXsC2vefwK_P-bIlxwlMkMg/s400/100_0943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348369995605718754" /><br /></div><div align="center">Here I was happy we'd had lots of fun there; we made plans to come back tomorrow.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">We were all reluctant to leave when it came time. And seeing as time was of the essence (we were not supposed to drive at night), we needed to head out to make sure we had plenty to set up camp. Our first stop was Lake Boomanjin, a campsite about an hour South of Lake Mack. Once we got there, none of us liked the look of it. There were already about 8 trucks there, none of which were yellow tops. Interesting. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">We were having lots of fun during the trip though.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fX6wom7kzSobIitmLPmQKj9IwtBLcPXLGe-L8SoIeoA1OPrbmYMjs9n4jQ-eXj4NIXV-yrqIiI-R3RaXTqs3j1CKvySjc_uhNl12djdT1o2rZfLjQfhUz1P29p8onlrw3X6gd0j1aLaf/s400/100_0877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348368234599678274" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv7sU3iy6ex3ExT4QMEiM9Ju04BzIkenp7Rr_gYdTPdivV3UZZvJcsbQIeQpNDaqR8xk1p6S6TvYzUnyMqOx3m3R0la_rQMAMbJtOyjIRHlKbFzNQrVz5poAT0vwgDa40NF4CzZRjShnh/s400/100_0883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348368242906060690" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zK9UWCJS-L4UzmkczdjdKy8oP_K_6G7Z_r3NEnnneAXkYy4bZz5IZ__6jZSXlMCyiPxyZgMTRBrNfEa1FRwqFDYn7AHxv6pIplTy5TNT9KOTGOdfFx0nRGlcTQNdDST0d4F1Zg7qS0e4/s400/100_0884.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348368246897033154" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUiNCbAORQupFMNQolhZN9JmLHrVty-Uu_HgxAx7qMajY1OFTkJhKQ7Xcocj9JXtxsFE4nMXpYfCmumKJfzXD5JcOB84HhMZWj6S2Kg9c-QZJzmc_2AmKmDIO4iZfnd9lOUSh_a66Ahuf/s400/100_0885.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348368249897061826" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDacjq8t8mD35qIeQ_7pRcH280N7aCmmkyKHLjFZj912yN3HYF6Bz0PRyA8Cn28DOGjI6gysXOKElSUXknf4VPpbORo-AzJ09RDfSoSu7lq1yJV17O7E583TYZ_yeuGnaQUQb_-Mokp87W/s400/100_0889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348369977964391058" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9poEEftPtpYC2ZhbOzVwvOeFXdqqLaLHd1YMB2JMnQcK3WIgMr5YRt7IcqtTNIPPNBf8YOyIaun7LNWYvsemuWuP4fkSoAwxPWYnXU5p9kZN4l_PBEaeJl5tKrwMpRFDmI1SugU1NW4z/s400/100_0886.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348369973522521122" /></div><div align="center">I went for the retard face unlike everyone else...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Onward we went. Dilli Village was about 40 minutes to the Southeast. It was a fun and quite bumpy ride to get there, but we all had plenty of drinks to pass the time with. Poor C.J., I think he was the only completely sober one at this point, but that is the sacrifice he made being the driver. He made up for it later in the night, no worries.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">We arrived at the campsite, but first drove a bit to check and see if camping at the beach was a viable option. It wasn't. The tide had come in, and it would have been impossible to get to the beach site, short of a trip as it was. It was starting to get dark at this point, and we looked to see how we would camp here. Dilli Village, we learnt, was one of the few campgrounds that you have to pay to camp there. $10 each to camp for the night. Fuck that.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">So back to Lake Boomanjin campground it was. At this point were driving in the dark, which was no big deal, it was more of the fact that we'd wasted time getting here and our asses were getting a little sore that was annoying.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfyEvOIpl4o3l0iDzIzfiQ4NJ8nVgRUwEsz7ltmSPwtcnyCkE5GxI848UiLhQdCl18x_hAnDK7yut_6Jn9PySjYh8FijQ1rr40aASiXnGXt4CouJ9wPzyHlWLC0PkaU7UiNAVoGd3333Y/s400/100_0949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348385537223323826" /></div><div align="center">The goon began flowing...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Needless to say we made it safe and sound (and a little more inebriated) back to Boomanjin. By now there were, I'd say, 15 trucks there, and finding a spot to pitch our tents wasn't the easiest.<br /><br />It was here where we all worked beautifully as a group. Some went off to set up the tents, others began preparing our dinner, which was vegetable stir-fry. Another delicious meal. It was supposed to have chicken as well, but the chicken bag had popped in our cooler. Thankfully most of the other food in there was properly sealed. We got everything done quickly and efficiently. Great job!<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">And after eating it was <strong>party time!</strong> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JXp77uPcTIfzWe6j9Hru4hrzPtWqQKaedR2EEx88izIVYzq0A0ONNkwgfSmlH2r2PV4irnwlVlqmL8f4taihJdrWu0alyYOgeAeesTD3SKYQWAWn7vqsOOh75vtqDcwuFBvsDPXFWbUf/s400/100_0953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348385542321469602" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">There were plenty of other people to meet, and since we had our truck's music blaring, lots of other campers came to visit us. We were party central, and we all partied by truck for the night. The goon had been flowing freely for awhile already, and it continued. At one point, the rain turned on heavily so the party moved to the back of the truck. It soon stopped, and we all slowly began to pass out. There was a small storm in the middle of the night I remember waking up to, our tent managed to stay dry.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCNrYdSpbSIY8yiEwvT6bvvZcQHwvPIFkqePm6yVxAraeY8-9yf-ipxHq-GRUzA4QegB3PRc3P_kQF1amfYVYWk47y7QW7V1j2QQUOYUqxenZ-LBiW5Lk9aq2JRx6zeAZ-Y1EvObqO6ng/s400/CIMG4457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348388813515599954" /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">It was a great day followed by a great night.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Andre\/\/ /\/\eades</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">***The next day we ran into a big surprise. Make sure to check it out.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-64583028844415053672009-06-07T14:27:00.002+10:002009-06-07T15:05:36.725+10:00My last day in Australia...So this is it, my final day here in Oz. I don't know how I feel really. Wait. That's a lie, I do actually. It's a mixed feeling. I am sad to say goodbye to Australia, a country that has treated me so well. One that has helped me learn more of who I am. Helped me understand more of this world and of its people. But I am also happy. Happy to head back home and see faces that I have missed, and to a place where I grew up; one that is forever familiar. <br /><br />What sort of things am I doing as a final goodbye? Nothing really. I ate an Ogalo chicken burger, a chain here in Sydney that I like. Other than that, nothing. I lived in Sydney for 5 months. I've done the city. Now, all that's left is my arrival back. <br /><br />Back to home. Back to family and friends. Back to pennies. Back to my car, dog, cat and a new puppy. Back to work. Back to where I was before I left.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It wont be the same though.</span> <br /><br />Things have changed. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I have changed</span>. Changed, so that even though I will be heading back to where I was before, it wont feel the same. Home will never be the same. My view of where I came from will be different. I have seen some of what this world has to offer and will automatically compare that to home. Don't get me wrong, home is still home, just not like it was before. The same way you change once you head off to university and come back. That same change, only a greater one. And this change is exactly what I was looking for, and needed, so I am glad. <br /><br />Now, the next step for me is to figure out what I am doing with the rest of my life. Too easy :)<br /><br /><br />Good bye Australia. I love you and will miss you.<br /><br /><br />Andrew Hamilton Meades<br /><br /><br /><br />** I am still working on the rest of the posts but will not be able to post them for a few days, so hang with me till then **Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-74561018583541520242009-06-05T15:31:00.009+10:002009-06-05T16:34:33.634+10:00Awesome Fraser Island camping Day 1<div style="text-align: center;">Everyone was up bright and early to check out, store our bags, and have our morning orientation before we left. In the orientation we checked our camping equipment, checked the vehicle, and went over the suggested itinerary. We packed up the trucks, got everyone settled, and then the journey began!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qMwNtfKRhOBN9L0LuJ6ApUeom5xgxTfHIe70WGWleh1lucUib1t2T92Yt-_apMZbUEmpSeU28nKb1_UwiTuKNcd72ntTT55PcTxylyojwPVt6rU1VyggQzlpEicDsKkp3d4yQTORRVEv/s1600-h/CIMG4351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qMwNtfKRhOBN9L0LuJ6ApUeom5xgxTfHIe70WGWleh1lucUib1t2T92Yt-_apMZbUEmpSeU28nKb1_UwiTuKNcd72ntTT55PcTxylyojwPVt6rU1VyggQzlpEicDsKkp3d4yQTORRVEv/s400/CIMG4351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343717284227241954" border="0" /></a><br />We journeyed to the barge which would take us to the island. Just after we got off the barge is where I saw the first and only dingo of the trip. Which was strange we didn't see any because the island is supposedly full of them. He was just standing on the beach looking at the passing convoy of vehicles. Not everyone in our group saw him, but we all expected to see some more. Such is life though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQSLG7n2x78Jc-cbV4iNZEPK34hUZxh2_N86WLSqBVwrd3XM-3lKr1jF5LFTx26TJQWCd6-dEIiH-PE3INmc9TD-6Y-zdqHe6GCodTxjCNpvT2Dt2PKVOQGL-nV92fSILp9tBdBRbXSqh/s1600-h/100_0775.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQSLG7n2x78Jc-cbV4iNZEPK34hUZxh2_N86WLSqBVwrd3XM-3lKr1jF5LFTx26TJQWCd6-dEIiH-PE3INmc9TD-6Y-zdqHe6GCodTxjCNpvT2Dt2PKVOQGL-nV92fSILp9tBdBRbXSqh/s400/100_0775.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343712821648488962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VfVKqjDxbDD21U8V26TknsGXxMPNbVg7KE-U79bgFaRcQYdIAjTGwXcPeyNgqKd6zzWuQF1lp6M5GFwyLp4kxzlBH0W9dqIOPKyHhe13BfwrgW0zSeRO9TZ2VZdp-XB6e6oHKqo9svnu/s1600-h/100_0782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VfVKqjDxbDD21U8V26TknsGXxMPNbVg7KE-U79bgFaRcQYdIAjTGwXcPeyNgqKd6zzWuQF1lp6M5GFwyLp4kxzlBH0W9dqIOPKyHhe13BfwrgW0zSeRO9TZ2VZdp-XB6e6oHKqo9svnu/s400/100_0782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343712829794445202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMCMthoxlqdKHwADUN5jR6zZODEALJ5sC4tLqj8HFewIAQq6P4LbixjN4dx4340041nmx_Z4FfobqEGXm6zyKE6Qj0JVrhq0qu2D5opv7UOKrdZntT4qNP6fm6Ujif8KjQki_Khh1xRy7/s1600-h/100_0781.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMCMthoxlqdKHwADUN5jR6zZODEALJ5sC4tLqj8HFewIAQq6P4LbixjN4dx4340041nmx_Z4FfobqEGXm6zyKE6Qj0JVrhq0qu2D5opv7UOKrdZntT4qNP6fm6Ujif8KjQki_Khh1xRy7/s400/100_0781.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343712823450927730" border="0" /></a><br />Our first leg of the trip was to drive the entire length of the island, all the way to a place called Indian head. Driving the entire island only takes about 3 hours, so that is what we did. The weather was nice and sunny for us, and we were all pumped and ready for camping.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeigkAFc-FeFm1qyro_tGIostdY-S2Rq5XSV8kpxT3TSFGTnZR6f_3jzcF4hhAtGYYZjNs4TMwj5Ssc8ZilQk8TjhgPZBaCUeLoP7pornsWVospYRacXUHm1hDALvNlylGLR8P_vW6Lst/s1600-h/CIMG4359.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeigkAFc-FeFm1qyro_tGIostdY-S2Rq5XSV8kpxT3TSFGTnZR6f_3jzcF4hhAtGYYZjNs4TMwj5Ssc8ZilQk8TjhgPZBaCUeLoP7pornsWVospYRacXUHm1hDALvNlylGLR8P_vW6Lst/s400/CIMG4359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343720696563146706" border="0" /></a>Indian Head was beautiful and offered an amazing view of Fraser.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGsjDAzXPQKsRKhlXI87B9nQP7iJ-6KsKraosfhGtG-JJQcnC-4X6rBawgbF_NJTrMUbjR70eNd3YqBOmmhLk7Kbm-bpbGWPwGvQ7d6WCuIhoFcXXFT6dk-ztMLmygU62WepVLLkB4DfA/s1600-h/P5220394.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGsjDAzXPQKsRKhlXI87B9nQP7iJ-6KsKraosfhGtG-JJQcnC-4X6rBawgbF_NJTrMUbjR70eNd3YqBOmmhLk7Kbm-bpbGWPwGvQ7d6WCuIhoFcXXFT6dk-ztMLmygU62WepVLLkB4DfA/s400/P5220394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343720710150113650" border="0" /></a>Check out Damien's awesome pose.<br /><br /><br />We climbed along the rocks and then Damien, Ashley, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CJ</span> and I climbed all the way to the top which had an amazing view of Fraser.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBn3G-or8MLqrnB0oC_hqM0l7wNEo3RDAC_wD65tUIBrrU7f56dksPksZHO8fUTiSJgo2XuDgg3UfO8-YCWSrBP8y_HJSFaFpIKO6i458vmH8u3juLBRkxkPkYskSGE6jAIA-OabWgkbD/s1600-h/100_0815.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBn3G-or8MLqrnB0oC_hqM0l7wNEo3RDAC_wD65tUIBrrU7f56dksPksZHO8fUTiSJgo2XuDgg3UfO8-YCWSrBP8y_HJSFaFpIKO6i458vmH8u3juLBRkxkPkYskSGE6jAIA-OabWgkbD/s400/100_0815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343714560548965186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiO-SfCumBvVkymJBUtqWwcUGZtzBMQaHrEIhzTTHIJ3pqpU2_-TBXTSRdN-U-fNBsnX7noMLBkLANbYj0BM2jqUQAnYW_H7JFjRLE4Y7xi1bdn5xfaIUc8asVIJXIFPrXUbkpygLMesW/s1600-h/100_0816.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiO-SfCumBvVkymJBUtqWwcUGZtzBMQaHrEIhzTTHIJ3pqpU2_-TBXTSRdN-U-fNBsnX7noMLBkLANbYj0BM2jqUQAnYW_H7JFjRLE4Y7xi1bdn5xfaIUc8asVIJXIFPrXUbkpygLMesW/s400/100_0816.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343714568539297138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGP2VhyphenhyphenWZIbkK4ICDavOqRLfH8AFqTK401Ozeuo0I8xHnz6UmBA0t4WK78gCAc5m8gErGrRNNtp02FP4AxEAuP7fNHVBmLdVKOxEfLhh7cGnlF0N2rn9buZbufifAW-ET9uUmFNAIdv1x/s1600-h/100_0813.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGP2VhyphenhyphenWZIbkK4ICDavOqRLfH8AFqTK401Ozeuo0I8xHnz6UmBA0t4WK78gCAc5m8gErGrRNNtp02FP4AxEAuP7fNHVBmLdVKOxEfLhh7cGnlF0N2rn9buZbufifAW-ET9uUmFNAIdv1x/s400/100_0813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343712839172766754" border="0" /></a>Luckily there were a couple other people at the top to help take some pictures for us.<br /><br />I took these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">panoramic</span> shots:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiPqCrPgJ9fvyhgq98KQVV0ae-cf9D2P2OzjVb0cEpZdVjUc3chGbXnw6qN6V2bXfHnVwq-opiPRDLnbgBG1FdD4ZTJlfa4Oqq_Jxa7CfLJfcp9aX8wNY_ssdeKKMhborZyxjGmPEaZUX/s1600-h/100_0814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiPqCrPgJ9fvyhgq98KQVV0ae-cf9D2P2OzjVb0cEpZdVjUc3chGbXnw6qN6V2bXfHnVwq-opiPRDLnbgBG1FdD4ZTJlfa4Oqq_Jxa7CfLJfcp9aX8wNY_ssdeKKMhborZyxjGmPEaZUX/s400/100_0814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343714557667557570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS_xGEvircFday1QsJlLX0FD5gkAZYT2QyyepNdVRuHC9qE7ygU9IuzZ0-PSjRM9uFb3yaSUpji12e9b90fVAbM9EhW9SoGGPgNOfGrgaBKHOHnha_6Gq5wN9F1SsfZkudEvsuRJnfGvn/s1600-h/100_0805.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS_xGEvircFday1QsJlLX0FD5gkAZYT2QyyepNdVRuHC9qE7ygU9IuzZ0-PSjRM9uFb3yaSUpji12e9b90fVAbM9EhW9SoGGPgNOfGrgaBKHOHnha_6Gq5wN9F1SsfZkudEvsuRJnfGvn/s400/100_0805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343712831533355666" border="0" /></a>We then climbed down and had our lunch. The other groups that we left with had arrived as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HQWAdhOdtE9JRZUkBSOKCszYHhovh53HEa0uYse28Iz8SC0dbz54Z5EBVs5Ggx5veILtuKVUpjiAz4DEyrNWjBOerp-7MTBB_XtNcvyJ5NW0nm2_kPzYg21EqzCkeWkJDBjeKK34Bb5p/s1600-h/100_0818.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HQWAdhOdtE9JRZUkBSOKCszYHhovh53HEa0uYse28Iz8SC0dbz54Z5EBVs5Ggx5veILtuKVUpjiAz4DEyrNWjBOerp-7MTBB_XtNcvyJ5NW0nm2_kPzYg21EqzCkeWkJDBjeKK34Bb5p/s400/100_0818.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343714574775124322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQN-lRXYNM3FAYgyFI9oq1OBRSsZEeoz5lJvOD-OT_IvsfuiIRO1K9WnCoY_0hmp7FX-Uyko0xYI26bLO91evA_eFguERJDdZaQLhXvt9hWuN1jzDoP4xjZc7pXCDhEzykycnWkPav6yR/s1600-h/P5220412.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQN-lRXYNM3FAYgyFI9oq1OBRSsZEeoz5lJvOD-OT_IvsfuiIRO1K9WnCoY_0hmp7FX-Uyko0xYI26bLO91evA_eFguERJDdZaQLhXvt9hWuN1jzDoP4xjZc7pXCDhEzykycnWkPav6yR/s400/P5220412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343720715041573922" border="0" /></a><br />Then it was time to leave. The tide was slowly starting to come in so we had to be careful driving back along the beach as big waves would come every now and then. Several times the truck would get soaked when we couldn't avoid the waves. Great fun :) Our next stop was back along the beach to the ship wreckage we had passed earlier. It is a mystery how this ship ended up here, but great for tourist photos nonetheless.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLUPh3RPWidjiGwC8dGeKe1Znb1SpB2UdVTBPrP3XRBmcA0PWsZCGM41k7GVfo2TYjOCnFYFf2uLYYvZtJzonNFuYt0ENxht5A9_fIm-9U9TMtdvgBlsHwiAfm7VXWwYLtKjchv3dviAH/s1600-h/100_0820.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLUPh3RPWidjiGwC8dGeKe1Znb1SpB2UdVTBPrP3XRBmcA0PWsZCGM41k7GVfo2TYjOCnFYFf2uLYYvZtJzonNFuYt0ENxht5A9_fIm-9U9TMtdvgBlsHwiAfm7VXWwYLtKjchv3dviAH/s400/100_0820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343714576827897154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgxEIkV8Q9oRkx-FZ6yAJuB6RpbqnzHUMEAOnIgxPTd7vlyrQMhywB2pU60HHlNIFZkIZ9FD_2blHeKVK8f4VPGLq1MIpfljswYca2No8jT5AmFE1taMV_ucMUE-HkM-VHfFgXCzY3DYy/s1600-h/100_0831.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgxEIkV8Q9oRkx-FZ6yAJuB6RpbqnzHUMEAOnIgxPTd7vlyrQMhywB2pU60HHlNIFZkIZ9FD_2blHeKVK8f4VPGLq1MIpfljswYca2No8jT5AmFE1taMV_ucMUE-HkM-VHfFgXCzY3DYy/s400/100_0831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343717266841674130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u-WklrGSUiPE9cGltPq5JFTZ7CTzoTwtN3VfSnTVHsthUw3g2GzSVi5n5mqCtKuL_dTJgse3uqjrv7qege0snoif49khMCHYihD_-15XjoKNbrblNySxZ45BPwNE7L7_adW5IXjYKkAI/s1600-h/100_0835.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u-WklrGSUiPE9cGltPq5JFTZ7CTzoTwtN3VfSnTVHsthUw3g2GzSVi5n5mqCtKuL_dTJgse3uqjrv7qege0snoif49khMCHYihD_-15XjoKNbrblNySxZ45BPwNE7L7_adW5IXjYKkAI/s400/100_0835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343717268896662450" border="0" /></a>We took a nice group photo here as well.<br /><br /><br />Then it was time to stop at the campsite on the beach for the night. We all set up our tents and camping equipment. There were about 7 trucks at the site, all of which were 'yellow tops' and were part of Dingo's hostel camping adventure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo1Wlg_EOQMSOu1h30AO-zpSX1dteO_NmijjXlbLR0vO6eMwL2DsJmhst4iCcsqVxn6FFdhFVE7zvSyoMm9N_EV8CGwBEqpuyjgVXUAIi4kitiAixf7Bs9p9q-CWCGdw_4vLDf5PchySE/s1600-h/100_0838.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo1Wlg_EOQMSOu1h30AO-zpSX1dteO_NmijjXlbLR0vO6eMwL2DsJmhst4iCcsqVxn6FFdhFVE7zvSyoMm9N_EV8CGwBEqpuyjgVXUAIi4kitiAixf7Bs9p9q-CWCGdw_4vLDf5PchySE/s400/100_0838.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343717280165973042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAG8M0ROuFBMy8zmkGOCKEbHJY8ZrVGseC3bNEaPW9jiQl58XdAnIGltuMWe70nQ01O_4Gly1xpnvHEijGqcriuMtmhsNQUuO7-MpV7CIRS0Seqbe-UKgAsLyvGiLwlV1fxIlgrFW50e4/s1600-h/100_0837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAG8M0ROuFBMy8zmkGOCKEbHJY8ZrVGseC3bNEaPW9jiQl58XdAnIGltuMWe70nQ01O_4Gly1xpnvHEijGqcriuMtmhsNQUuO7-MpV7CIRS0Seqbe-UKgAsLyvGiLwlV1fxIlgrFW50e4/s400/100_0837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343717276450509682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5Umb1BHL3M2uzw4nZe9NtMTf5cnvKWgVfbIU9DjDeeFSEoYAPMCExse2xipUHp9riY0PTaVvnCLm-c9xonjd0nW02E7fWDbTOJ5loNYFUxJdlOmmYVBETkwfO7RfBDqpx-fClc4sWgJH/s1600-h/P5220443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5Umb1BHL3M2uzw4nZe9NtMTf5cnvKWgVfbIU9DjDeeFSEoYAPMCExse2xipUHp9riY0PTaVvnCLm-c9xonjd0nW02E7fWDbTOJ5loNYFUxJdlOmmYVBETkwfO7RfBDqpx-fClc4sWgJH/s400/P5220443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343721158510718450" border="0" /></a>This shot gives you and idea of how close to the beach we camped.<br /><br />As you can probably guess, a big party was slowly beginning to form. But before we started all the drinking games, we watched the sunset along the beach, and cooked our dinner. It was STEAK! And it was delicious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHqwFtk2u9eKDQ4icG3KA64vWZKpsbuyHvIPelJGGxo3vgfgO1CgzSlY8Q3anlNuj6ozglSsgXgVVGNHP35ZHnIkPx6igSRRdht-LwcyrmjslYVwX2sYa_v1YnZLnnWDsKBaTv8a4wOjt/s1600-h/P5220031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHqwFtk2u9eKDQ4icG3KA64vWZKpsbuyHvIPelJGGxo3vgfgO1CgzSlY8Q3anlNuj6ozglSsgXgVVGNHP35ZHnIkPx6igSRRdht-LwcyrmjslYVwX2sYa_v1YnZLnnWDsKBaTv8a4wOjt/s400/P5220031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343720705068019058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0Zn9RO8dbH9pNrriy9jkV8hyynicks14z7w20trBF6KgvQzWEUqxqrdkYBD2iEMH0Nmt2T80G4Vwfctx2r02DMK4QgbEi-VGxKNiLQ4Lb1ZQ2xgRTwBQL8yS_KkSYsTp8TnxiZ_r8Kkn/s1600-h/CIMG4410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0Zn9RO8dbH9pNrriy9jkV8hyynicks14z7w20trBF6KgvQzWEUqxqrdkYBD2iEMH0Nmt2T80G4Vwfctx2r02DMK4QgbEi-VGxKNiLQ4Lb1ZQ2xgRTwBQL8yS_KkSYsTp8TnxiZ_r8Kkn/s400/CIMG4410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343720700651476418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8chaUvQlLOx5nRKuIMrC-oibH2drHEtdIyXFHumDrBbX3IlpNKP3zDKO9ZBfWuaXSrbPfvhrJcr3HRVn8FyM10z_79GcFvZCmThgPSG5v1qy3qSJhc-0Prp80XLkXgLDkcQHQZxac9Cg/s1600-h/P5220461.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8chaUvQlLOx5nRKuIMrC-oibH2drHEtdIyXFHumDrBbX3IlpNKP3zDKO9ZBfWuaXSrbPfvhrJcr3HRVn8FyM10z_79GcFvZCmThgPSG5v1qy3qSJhc-0Prp80XLkXgLDkcQHQZxac9Cg/s400/P5220461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343721166173364386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPf-9rdSytNT-EBcbvaA2db_sNMUGnha9UuLmUnZcWaFM5GYTQCZkfRn0p-ld4X_UeVO50XkJyb1wZLqV-0zbsm-HZd9MZ5HDmNUxZPsJn3H4rSPYd2c94MfMUg2ylQyNgEk0Pex0RCGW/s1600-h/P5220459.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPf-9rdSytNT-EBcbvaA2db_sNMUGnha9UuLmUnZcWaFM5GYTQCZkfRn0p-ld4X_UeVO50XkJyb1wZLqV-0zbsm-HZd9MZ5HDmNUxZPsJn3H4rSPYd2c94MfMUg2ylQyNgEk0Pex0RCGW/s400/P5220459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343721161680540178" border="0" /></a>C.J and I. Yes, I'm wearing a head lamp. Thanks for that Auntie Sally, it was very useful!<br /><br /><br />After dinner, Ashley, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">CJ</span>, Damien and I went to the beach to do the dishes and almost died. Seriously (not really). The tide was in, and we were trying to wash dishes, when 2 huge waves came. The first soaked us up to the hips, and the second up to our necks. It was insane. None of us even saw the wave coming. We were incredibly lucky that we only lost a little frying pan as we have to pay for everything we didn't come back with. I was holding the big frying pan and refused to let go of it even as I was being dragged along the sand back out to the water. It was brutal, I ate lots of sand. Ashley's camera got soaked, my one and only sweater as well. We learned the hard way why you have to be careful along the beach when the tides in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSjhsbeMW1nVp1if5pPBLUsRg4eViY43dpluq4BKHB__4-ta87jrxQAs9w_U8jM75ZVnj-djNbeJcwsscJ84SmSixFxODgtPVkxZJvXbkStR-34XCWei1pwrkXbex7DT2S5V51H1rBfga/s1600-h/P5220463.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSjhsbeMW1nVp1if5pPBLUsRg4eViY43dpluq4BKHB__4-ta87jrxQAs9w_U8jM75ZVnj-djNbeJcwsscJ84SmSixFxODgtPVkxZJvXbkStR-34XCWei1pwrkXbex7DT2S5V51H1rBfga/s400/P5220463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343721170988963858" border="0" /></a><br />But that little incident didn't stop the party. No way! We played some drinking games, met other campers, and had wicked fun all night. After which, everyone passed out in our tents looking forward to the next day ahead of us.<br /><br />Stay tuned for Day 2 of the trip. It involves a trip to Lake Mackenzie, a beautiful freshwater lake on the island with the clearest water I've ever seen.<br /><br />[Andrew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Meades</span>]<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-62835902948766185172009-06-04T11:46:00.002+10:002009-06-04T11:59:20.190+10:00All set to head back!<a href="http://srisiva.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/plane-landing1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://srisiva.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/plane-landing1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have finally got my flight and everything arranged! I fly from Sydney to Auckland to LA, will have to stay over one night in LA, then fly to Chicago and finally Toronto. I will arrive in TO around 11pm on the 9th!<br /></div><br /><div>Now I have a couple days left to kill here in Sydney. I am going to work on all the blog posts I am missing. I have: Fraser, 1770, Airlie Beach, and Sailing the Whitsunday Islands, I still need to post about. So, I will work on those while waiting for my departure, will include lots of pictures. The facebook albums and the videos I have taken will have to wait till I am home before I can upload as it takes too long here to do. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div>But yeah.<br />Get ready for me... I'm coming home :)<br /><br />AdnreW MeedaS</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-48628732571625344242009-06-03T10:15:00.002+10:002009-06-03T10:21:17.628+10:00I'm heading home...Yeah it's true. I'm just in the middle of trying to organize my flight back to Toronto, but I am back in Sydney now. Yesterday I flew from Whitsundays back here with intentions of catching the next flight to Toronto as soon as I can. <br /><br />Why am I heading back? Necessity. First, I have run out of money, which really limits what you can and cannot do. Secondly, my little brother is sick again, so I would like to head back and visit him as soon as I can.<br /><br />What sucks is trying to organize my flight back. With the open ended ticket I have it makes it really hard due to limitations. I'm sure if you booked early it wouldnt be a problem, but since I am doing it in a rush it is.<br /><br />I will post an update soon, I just need to make some phone calls.<br /><br />:)<br /><br />ANdrewUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-78542442381418712962009-05-28T09:39:00.000+10:002009-05-28T09:39:00.532+10:00An orientation at Rainbow beach before heading out camping...<div align="center">With the company we booked our Fraser Camping trip with, they require that you have an orientation before you head out camping. The camping we did, was a self-drive of the island with 11 people. Damien and I were in the same group, along with Ashley, who we met from Noosa. The others included: CJ, American who lives in Hawaii, a couple Connor and Dawn from Ireland, Paulo, Daniela, and Guilia, three friends from Italy, and two other Canadian girls.<br /></div><p align="center"> </p><p align="center">The orientation was basic. It included a movie from the government of Australia about saftey tips which mostly contained bad advice. The staff then gave us a run down on our food, real saftey tips, a suggested outline, and alcohol order forms. We got to meet everyone from our group for the first time. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't sure how well our group was going to get along. I had a feeling that each would stay in their own little click, especially when later that night only Damien, Ashley, CJ, and I ended up having drinks with each other.<br /></p><p align="center">The next morning we were up at 7 to check out of the hostel, and have another orientation with the vehicles and camping equipment.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTIoAlnaep4SIAfygl4TtJm4f5JNguGo9dBv64jsAamKRU5D578gPxhpwO1WCpfhkIqpqBJvfQnnYOf-NGj1Rrif5oLqRT2qioQjLyd7tEIBDKecCmbimFc16YHUfZIU0wr_KiqlnqSTM/s1600-h/100_0771.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340282485242577522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTIoAlnaep4SIAfygl4TtJm4f5JNguGo9dBv64jsAamKRU5D578gPxhpwO1WCpfhkIqpqBJvfQnnYOf-NGj1Rrif5oLqRT2qioQjLyd7tEIBDKecCmbimFc16YHUfZIU0wr_KiqlnqSTM/s400/100_0771.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is a picture of us all infront of the truck.<br /></p><p align="center"><br />I'm going to leave it there for now. It was a wild trip and I want to make sure I get all the details in order and go through the 784 pictures we all took to find the best ones to post. </p><div align="center"><br /><br /><div align="center">Just as a teaser here is a nice one.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstjRQd8XXuBVSxtTcQUJiiOgoZz8ur8nzjf6IiROBOZyED041J1KeNKgamMOnFqoc2Jpbo4E-AURzRLz_Z31JJLHIPRP4ZOb2MoaDlCfQsmLoX9YvUVMZTwb3W5wnA4F97z8n6L_rFOG3/s1600-h/CIMG4410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340282488865026050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstjRQd8XXuBVSxtTcQUJiiOgoZz8ur8nzjf6IiROBOZyED041J1KeNKgamMOnFqoc2Jpbo4E-AURzRLz_Z31JJLHIPRP4ZOb2MoaDlCfQsmLoX9YvUVMZTwb3W5wnA4F97z8n6L_rFOG3/s400/CIMG4410.JPG" border="0" /></a> Yes, that is a shipwreck in the sunset.<br /><br /><br />Will post tomorrow, so make sure to come back and check.<br /><br /><br />AndrewMeades<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-39807441702583514102009-05-26T16:43:00.003+10:002009-05-27T09:34:15.833+10:00Oh Noosa, you could have been so wonderful...The bad weather started in Noosa hours before we arrived. It just poured rain. And with all that rain, there is not much to do there. It sucks because I have a friend who stayed there for 3 weeks he loved it so much.<br /><br /><br />Well the first day we arrived we were put into the crappiest room in the hostel and the tiniest room we have stayed to date. Other than that, the people staying there were fun. I met Ashely, from Alaska, and a fun couple from the UK. It turned out that Ashley was on the same schedule as Damien and I for the most part.<br /><br /><br />Time was passed watching movies and tv shows. I was thankful I'd hauled around my external HD whilst here. And when time wasn't being spent watching movies, it was passed by either drinking or playing cards. I taught everyone how to play crazy 8's, a game that I hadn't even played for the longest time, and we stayed up late playing that. It was good fun.<br /><br /><br />There was one sunny peroid and when it hit, Damien, Ashley and I grabbed our suits and quickly made it to the beach. Since the weather had been terrible, the surf was huge and I imagine, quite dangerous if you didn't have lifeguards on guard.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEi_pRB2vE23C6-tDdatPC8w5F-n_DXR2QzUcv4Q6ifbJHY2Cvfb9thVhKdpjQB44bd4XZzoq8hXH8Sd8gN-G-_3xr6i0-7TPppeiY-tZbFtnDQq47wfQM5UOhpXQx1qF4MjyGaIiKBD4/s1600-h/100_0729.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340277977667796402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEi_pRB2vE23C6-tDdatPC8w5F-n_DXR2QzUcv4Q6ifbJHY2Cvfb9thVhKdpjQB44bd4XZzoq8hXH8Sd8gN-G-_3xr6i0-7TPppeiY-tZbFtnDQq47wfQM5UOhpXQx1qF4MjyGaIiKBD4/s400/100_0729.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a picture of the beach in Noosa.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnxXmbRUkgp8COwNSjv2gEG7_VN0TymSev7hJy8WFMV0K4F-ribSe8hEDkc7EHQB4Q_wEGHZ3eRurADDL1-5NggLOFcxZ83ViUFrQ_G5DboF_otUT6h-8TwEC0hJij0YUhsoN_UfMMI7u/s1600-h/100_0741.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340277979965677730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnxXmbRUkgp8COwNSjv2gEG7_VN0TymSev7hJy8WFMV0K4F-ribSe8hEDkc7EHQB4Q_wEGHZ3eRurADDL1-5NggLOFcxZ83ViUFrQ_G5DboF_otUT6h-8TwEC0hJij0YUhsoN_UfMMI7u/s400/100_0741.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here's Ashley and I out getting crushed by some of the big waves. I actually had one curl over my head and toss me like a rag doll. Fun :)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgYr9eHyVZCJkzHJiOhXpDYvzZRHcWV33DXh3y1T7oHD6FQzVLerB5z1vcqrF9PiPT69euV4qTkcEF7u9E14C86ipPQy_3zdxedAbQAlH9uvwiYl7vp9rfV4qKgS_ovAUegh9hYVqZFnn/s1600-h/100_0746.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340277987535533906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgYr9eHyVZCJkzHJiOhXpDYvzZRHcWV33DXh3y1T7oHD6FQzVLerB5z1vcqrF9PiPT69euV4qTkcEF7u9E14C86ipPQy_3zdxedAbQAlH9uvwiYl7vp9rfV4qKgS_ovAUegh9hYVqZFnn/s400/100_0746.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These birds would follow the wave in, and then run away as the wave came back out. It was funny to watch.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLCft0vU04O-EK4AEbtty3FMBNnzDtzYQxoV2rQe1BthWAVWBdAn-YyKCpmcW6bRQzIiRBHcE5OeW1mv6tL-URPDTcV7uyjQVWiJMQMHvocI9it-wrjOqRiJIxlvWz3o0-hhf9dFBhpxS/s1600-h/100_0751.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340277993160782130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLCft0vU04O-EK4AEbtty3FMBNnzDtzYQxoV2rQe1BthWAVWBdAn-YyKCpmcW6bRQzIiRBHcE5OeW1mv6tL-URPDTcV7uyjQVWiJMQMHvocI9it-wrjOqRiJIxlvWz3o0-hhf9dFBhpxS/s400/100_0751.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Ashley with the big waves in the background.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SjuprsihkIvSy_cwJYhR8bF6rRz47eHC6HYazKMQpiVmvMSaDlDkGD7ntpHi0v-PO9hio_6vtoUYZG-g-Y0txtNHbasDjM0JmjRumo4Pst0dmCHWXJeM7XlLN0QJqjNqCo1iQCOAj8KG/s1600-h/100_0757.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340279007904756210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SjuprsihkIvSy_cwJYhR8bF6rRz47eHC6HYazKMQpiVmvMSaDlDkGD7ntpHi0v-PO9hio_6vtoUYZG-g-Y0txtNHbasDjM0JmjRumo4Pst0dmCHWXJeM7XlLN0QJqjNqCo1iQCOAj8KG/s400/100_0757.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I caught a little crabbie on the walk back.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7PiN1SrbFdAA7TELJmA1HU-GVWPFrcNlREYAwTjyoAi9jvyutHATZP0q4R2dTW4nj_LaQLm4yJSbT7f_UqAsEAa5uavLOqopo7z53jO_zl5MKw0EvlfCB2NiCww-y2MFVEs-xrHwzEMN/s1600-h/100_0764.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340279011427988146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7PiN1SrbFdAA7TELJmA1HU-GVWPFrcNlREYAwTjyoAi9jvyutHATZP0q4R2dTW4nj_LaQLm4yJSbT7f_UqAsEAa5uavLOqopo7z53jO_zl5MKw0EvlfCB2NiCww-y2MFVEs-xrHwzEMN/s400/100_0764.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We stayed at Dolphins hostel in Noosa.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhbdUhjnQtvey5CIzlW3RFagW-VmRjG_ehdJPwyjie1cVo3IzNNCpyX-jeYPHo1ipgFoyX2O3sLdUwLDIfDt5B7VS9vDF58oGFgojsP7idUDcmEtPvLFFRJpQTmGl2kjlsZlOaY4vcpZf/s1600-h/100_0765.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340279014680152274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhbdUhjnQtvey5CIzlW3RFagW-VmRjG_ehdJPwyjie1cVo3IzNNCpyX-jeYPHo1ipgFoyX2O3sLdUwLDIfDt5B7VS9vDF58oGFgojsP7idUDcmEtPvLFFRJpQTmGl2kjlsZlOaY4vcpZf/s400/100_0765.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Damien chillin on the chair. We spent a long while on those when it was pouring.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRKlS4pOv_FO7hcoSadrpMagkWQ5MPFfDWiCQPxB-fY4HY5_kGaoSK9bD_7MhNfapfZAAtdqWgGShxvCzdrawSoIA-Vdt4H48DWDk7wXWDaDBTmvWksjeXqt9thx0M6NLDhQncSrkZQek/s1600-h/100_0767.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340279022048549538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRKlS4pOv_FO7hcoSadrpMagkWQ5MPFfDWiCQPxB-fY4HY5_kGaoSK9bD_7MhNfapfZAAtdqWgGShxvCzdrawSoIA-Vdt4H48DWDk7wXWDaDBTmvWksjeXqt9thx0M6NLDhQncSrkZQek/s400/100_0767.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our tiny room faced the outside and had a glass front.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAxZf7IR_Iu8eescV42EVwiv_ZliNjllk-_gnu3jlsNSVAWCepWyGrM_2LP6FdVZIS0LHVABkPXk9lrjKl8KvrFwCiI24yu5ngMByRv_yhUQLcjnFbv9g6S_TitkKZmuDH_6ub4VBY7Kl/s1600-h/100_0768.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340279028512403314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAxZf7IR_Iu8eescV42EVwiv_ZliNjllk-_gnu3jlsNSVAWCepWyGrM_2LP6FdVZIS0LHVABkPXk9lrjKl8KvrFwCiI24yu5ngMByRv_yhUQLcjnFbv9g6S_TitkKZmuDH_6ub4VBY7Kl/s400/100_0768.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It also leaked, but thankfully didn't get any of my stuff wrecked.<br /><br />Anyways, we made the best of our stay in Noosa that we could have. I couldn't get any surfin in which sucked, but that is how life goes sometimes. Our next stop was Rainbow beach for a night.<br /><br /><br />N Drew M e a d e s </div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-2586608477313133892009-05-26T16:29:00.005+10:002009-05-26T16:43:06.029+10:00Clubbin in Brisbane and dreaming of shopping...I have spent 3 nights in Brisbane. I stayed at Base Hostel which was a good choice.<br /><br />While in Brisbane we didn't really do much to be honest. The first day we got here we just walked around the city and got oriented a bit. Went out to a club called Bank in the valley, I enjoyed it. The second day Damien and I went for a walk in the Botanical Gardens in the city. We were looking for this bridge that we saw in a picture of Brisbane, walked around for a bit only to realize that it was the frist bridge we saw, and thought it not that. We even asked some locals, who didn't know what we were talking about, their response was 'what do you expect, it's Brisbane.' Appearently there is not much else to do here but club and shop.<br /><br />One problem though, I don't have any spare money to spend, or even room in my pack for that matter, so that is out of the question.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvp4zvuZjE96hhHnYSlMWnUxuAvLYqyQ9kNVfIpLzOu97BcQQYfFvurUWFw79hM5_JqkVtY9yckKwH2tQbZ1bB3tly5xTxqiVPC88-N-rvBOiUGWX0CKoJX-_qsV0LmamKCNTs_w8uOj8/s1600-h/100_0700.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340019249709626962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvp4zvuZjE96hhHnYSlMWnUxuAvLYqyQ9kNVfIpLzOu97BcQQYfFvurUWFw79hM5_JqkVtY9yckKwH2tQbZ1bB3tly5xTxqiVPC88-N-rvBOiUGWX0CKoJX-_qsV0LmamKCNTs_w8uOj8/s400/100_0700.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Check out this fat guy trying to get on a tiny boat. Hehe, I like having a large zoom on my camera.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPZapfkLI_Lxq59J_lms-BxUWXZAVbUgc-vO2alyhieVXnvYjQAhNxVlFMfGTUEo8C9LfmP5kYKSiuXFdFFjcra7Ki2KelRwnmswIE55qZ0KwQ2_BXqJ4lBiLXfLTOLH8ukrQspxZO3lr/s1600-h/100_0701.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340018418017941778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPZapfkLI_Lxq59J_lms-BxUWXZAVbUgc-vO2alyhieVXnvYjQAhNxVlFMfGTUEo8C9LfmP5kYKSiuXFdFFjcra7Ki2KelRwnmswIE55qZ0KwQ2_BXqJ4lBiLXfLTOLH8ukrQspxZO3lr/s400/100_0701.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the bridge we were trying to find but had already found.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3JwQKRQrmu3uxeTa36c94Gkb-qZqDE3NyRcAMEIFRSP9zXaAiEt8_X_fjFoxD2Lu4SC1b8dRtYZTaJEdU2l5gXBQTEXLZZZ2I8juY49YXS-JXhW3OpRUHMsV_0qMVrM80A2FW7eda0ic/s1600-h/100_0720.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340018424211239394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3JwQKRQrmu3uxeTa36c94Gkb-qZqDE3NyRcAMEIFRSP9zXaAiEt8_X_fjFoxD2Lu4SC1b8dRtYZTaJEdU2l5gXBQTEXLZZZ2I8juY49YXS-JXhW3OpRUHMsV_0qMVrM80A2FW7eda0ic/s400/100_0720.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The roots near the river? stuck out of the ground which looked creepy.<br /><br />On the second night, after going out again to the Valley, the fire alarm went off at 5:30 am. I woke up dazed (not drunk) to the smell of smoke. For a split second I thought this might actually be a real fire and not just a false alarm. I still took my sweet ass time leaving the building though; I went to the bathroom and grabbed my iPod before leaving. It was a false alarm, they first made an announcement stating that and telling everyone to go back to bed. Two seconds later we were told that we had to evacuate the building.<br /><br />What really happened I'm not sure. I overheard someone saying that the smoke came from the bar in the basement, but we weren't given any real answers. The whole ordeal reminded me of first year university, and the handful of times some drunken kid would pull the fire alarm in the residences. Only, this time I wouldn't have an exam to write the next day :)<br /><br />We got a new puppy back home! I didn't even realize that when I skyped but here is a picture of my brother showing her to me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAPyxo1M2NxaNkTV8y7dWwKhUZfay0P-wyzFo2MzWA_2qJZUkLiaMnHaLOym0Cm7MWUQ6Qtu0h-8N9H8ddWflHq97rEDlSmafDGOUsXWP0cRa_sloDixkrlc9PqTcQE36uCpAotI3uG4z/s1600-h/Sophie1.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340018428145924898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAPyxo1M2NxaNkTV8y7dWwKhUZfay0P-wyzFo2MzWA_2qJZUkLiaMnHaLOym0Cm7MWUQ6Qtu0h-8N9H8ddWflHq97rEDlSmafDGOUsXWP0cRa_sloDixkrlc9PqTcQE36uCpAotI3uG4z/s400/Sophie1.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>She makes me want to rush home and see her :(<br /><br />*** This is a little old info considering I have done half of it already, but I'll keep it here.***<br /><br />We have the next 2 weeks booked now! The plan goes as such: 3 nights in Noosa, 1 night in Rainbow Beach for orientation to the Self-Drive of Fraser Island, 2 nights on Fraser camping, 1 more night back in Rainbow.<br /><br />Then, off to the last surfing spot before the Great Barrier Reef ruins the surf with it's awesomeness. We are spending a night at a small town called 1770. I plan on getting a great last day of surfing in there.<br /><br />After 1770, we are heading to Airlie Beach for a night, then we sail off from Airlie for 2 nights in the Whitsunday Islands. Picture this, a nice sea vessel with 25 or so backpackers just sailing around visiting beaches, swimming and diving. I am going to have my first scuba dive off of the boat. I can't wait, it is going to be unreal.<br /><br />Then back to Airlie beach, and that is where our planning ends. Most likely, after Airlie will be Magnetic Island, Mission beach, and then our final stop, Cairns!<br /><br /><br />ANDREW MEADES RULES </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-85012411092045943882009-05-26T14:51:00.002+10:002009-05-26T14:59:56.602+10:001770 to Airlie tonightHey,<br /><br />I'm just going to start typing up some blog posts from Brisbane, Noosa, Fraser... etc<br />So you will get some new info soon, and pictures!<br /><br />The internet here in 1770 is terrible, so hopefully tomorrow in Airlie it will be better. I'll find a way to upload some pics somehow. <br /><br />After tomorrow, I embark on my Whitsundays sailing trip. I am on a boat called Matador, and while on it I hope to have my first scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef.<br /><br />I'll take lots of pictures there as well. <br /><br />I spent the morning here in 1770 surfing it up. I grabbed a 6'4" board and was able to ride it nicely, which I'm proud of as it means I know what I'm doing now. :)<br /><br />I'm a see if I can make some Skype calls tomorrow. I wanna see the new puppy again!!! Oh and my family too...<br /><br />Tonight I am on the overnight bus to Airlie beach. It's a 10 hour trip, and I hope it's not too full so I can get a nice sleep in. <br /><br />Well chat soon,<br /><br />Andre(w) Meade(s)<br /><br />P.S. I have started texting to twitter more often, so if you want a better up to date of whats going on, add me, or check the widget on the blog. <br /><br />PeaceUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-91064046792619605442009-05-24T17:51:00.002+10:002009-05-24T17:56:09.023+10:00Back from camping...Hello all,<br /><br />I just got back from camping at Fraser Island. Wow. Unbelieveable. There were 11 of us doing a self-drive adventure and it was increadible fun. I will post some of the 800+ pictures that were taken sometime tomorrow.<br /><br />I'm on the bus tomorrow to go to 1770 where I am going to stay for a day of surfing, then its on to Arlie beach for sailing in Whitsundays.<br /><br /><br />Keep it real,<br /><br />AndrwUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-62880234469754957392009-05-20T10:11:00.002+10:002009-05-20T10:15:07.032+10:00Stuck in Noosa and it's boring when its raining.....Yeah it is. Seriously. It has been raining since we got here. Internets is expensive at the hostel so I might try and find some free one later. But yeah, Noosa has beautiful beaches, just not when the forecast calls for rain till Saturday. <br /><br />Hopefully at least, the rain stops before we start our Fraser Island camping. As much as I waking to the sound of rain on a tent, it sucks when everything is soaking wet.<br /><br />I'll post pic and info about Brisbane when I get the chance. <br /><br />I wanna go surfing :(Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-91460267138756467702009-05-17T11:57:00.006+10:002009-05-17T12:19:28.110+10:00Surfers Paradise really looks like a surfers paradise...We were only in Surfers Paradise for a short stay. Damien and I arrived on Wed afternoon and left Friday morning. That's not that much time to get to know one of Australia's most popular travel destinations to be honest, be we got the gist. The first night we did a pub crawl still with friends made back at the surf camp. That was fun. There were just over 100 of us club hopping and partying together.<br /><br />The next day was a good ole beach day. No surfing though :( I absolutely love seeing the skyscrapers in the background of the beach. Part of me wishes we would spend more time here because the beach is great, but since this is such a commmercial area, it ain't cheap, and I don't really want to go to any of the theme parks here to be honest so it's better to move on.<br /><br />Oh some advice - Don't stay at the YHA here in Surfers. It is too far from the city centre. Seriously. We did get a free shuttle to take us from the bus stop to the hostel, but there are only 4 shuttles a day, the latest being at 5:20 pm. The city buses back to the hostel stop at 11:20 pm, so after the crawl, I had to take a taxi back. Shitty. That was a waste of $15, but I really didn't feel like walking the 40 minutes. I wasn't in bad shape Mum, don't worry. So yeah, if you're reading this, heed my advice and do not stay at the YHA in Surfers Paradise for that reason alone. It is clean and a nice hostel, but just has a terrible location.<br /><br />At least Damien and I have learned to do a little research before we book our hostels now. Our planning is getting better too. So far on our trip all we have really done is go to beaches, surf, and get drunk in different places. As glorious as that sounds, it has gotten boring. It is time to start seeing some sights (alliteration FTW), and doing more then just going out and partying. We are also going to get our Fraser Island and Whitsundays tours booked. I will update on that when we do finally do it.<br /><br />Next stop is Brisbane.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsOBH_5XvK9gpUzrGQaS-Dl2-szqWsjmoyO7Fh6FsKN9_TQJXiF1nvCu4rNLhnmuhaw2zLBhqIZgNPMA9DSKErZGeR6npnb0jzFBpeQe5_OV_yYifHoB5_N1-aGmMvLouBJzkJhw_bmkM/s1600-h/P1010085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsOBH_5XvK9gpUzrGQaS-Dl2-szqWsjmoyO7Fh6FsKN9_TQJXiF1nvCu4rNLhnmuhaw2zLBhqIZgNPMA9DSKErZGeR6npnb0jzFBpeQe5_OV_yYifHoB5_N1-aGmMvLouBJzkJhw_bmkM/s400/P1010085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336607968020915618" border="0" /></a>The first day we arrive was a mix of cloud and sun. This is me and some random surfer. She wasn't that bad...<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6E_uxjrCYkN62BqnbGOjII8P9hYcaXqJAo2sq98OlCZz7IDDSLXGeQ6ICo16n4Kv6wmCPDO8TIDbISk0y7U_6s81FYHNF6HIqQyXJ4eJC5fB26SFrJGGprjq9JUNnDcEeiTd_vvbYQoh/s1600-h/100_0665.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6E_uxjrCYkN62BqnbGOjII8P9hYcaXqJAo2sq98OlCZz7IDDSLXGeQ6ICo16n4Kv6wmCPDO8TIDbISk0y7U_6s81FYHNF6HIqQyXJ4eJC5fB26SFrJGGprjq9JUNnDcEeiTd_vvbYQoh/s400/100_0665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336607967044989554" border="0" /></a>I really like the horizon. Hmm I have a better picture of this...<br /><br />Next Day<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIm0A93VHVaqr71bs9FcTQ4iYQ2EEVmMN7ZT0b9wX91d1PXuMR6uHZ_PmRNeVeirZR0PeO_YnypHc1gcyW6GQsDtLDl5Llb9FgQ_6tIRt9sES_w2DHadFB-c37R-zFeNVjP19Tm8tyAmM/s1600-h/100_0684.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIm0A93VHVaqr71bs9FcTQ4iYQ2EEVmMN7ZT0b9wX91d1PXuMR6uHZ_PmRNeVeirZR0PeO_YnypHc1gcyW6GQsDtLDl5Llb9FgQ_6tIRt9sES_w2DHadFB-c37R-zFeNVjP19Tm8tyAmM/s400/100_0684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336611220965566930" border="0" /></a>Walking the walk. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJgxHqWvjV-9OxADQZEkcjtdJV0nE1PCCIIsXtDGevkXXbYfmfobe92jfwpbZZxXNZI_ReObeI564Tx98yf7Ox-aUcsfXo_Rrp5QMa1iFS0chFY54UohKJdlYiU9xcWotNKL1mqhuAhUx/s1600-h/100_0691.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJgxHqWvjV-9OxADQZEkcjtdJV0nE1PCCIIsXtDGevkXXbYfmfobe92jfwpbZZxXNZI_ReObeI564Tx98yf7Ox-aUcsfXo_Rrp5QMa1iFS0chFY54UohKJdlYiU9xcWotNKL1mqhuAhUx/s400/100_0691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336611215449394482" border="0" /></a>Just a nice shot of one of the lifeguard towers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrYT1m1oWd7BhHd5TCDLpQGqaqUl7TA6R88tepwB9c-weg9LSOb-8xDen4aHXJlYB4ogy2tPN2hAmAqRkWEhyIdUMkhUSZiLNwPwMCSwSvLuu_8sRlgXR1DS-KF_-DaNwSmZJ5lvU7pEZ/s1600-h/100_0677.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrYT1m1oWd7BhHd5TCDLpQGqaqUl7TA6R88tepwB9c-weg9LSOb-8xDen4aHXJlYB4ogy2tPN2hAmAqRkWEhyIdUMkhUSZiLNwPwMCSwSvLuu_8sRlgXR1DS-KF_-DaNwSmZJ5lvU7pEZ/s400/100_0677.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336611216650498146" border="0" /></a>Damien soakin' up some rays. With sunscreen of course :)<br /></div><br /><br />Grrr. As I was writing this post I hear though my window some drunken retards walking by saying "Fuck Canadians" blah blah something about a 2 dollar bill. I'm pretty sure they were American by their accent, but it is not fair for me to guess without knowing for certain. It doesn't really matter though, all counties have idiots.<br /><br /><br />Anyways, the movie Into The Wild <strike>is</strike> was playing in the common area, I <strike>am going to go</strike> went and continued to watch it.<br /><br />Bye for now,<br /><br />Andrew Meades, eh?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-20245120799464998692009-05-13T16:08:00.004+10:002009-05-13T16:25:12.150+10:00Byron was fun... in Surfers Paradise now...Another post to show that I am still alive. I don't have much time right now so I'll just give you a quickie with a better post tomorrow. We headed to the Byron after the surf camp. It is a small little party town with several great beaches. The group of us were there for 5 nights. We had a couple beach days, one where we rented boards and surfed all day; that was an amazing day. Here is a picture of me catching the wave. I'm getting pretty good if I can so myself. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzayD-saxr1x2Nwe4aFBzfXB4-p9Zl4o-eNOP3C5lzaT8OsvJTYleom1XfU4K92DP9dfCqGPPmLuEm_I6-yyKgqMqBLiRD-pmYg2gzjJyMSdLyaGKDPG_OKo8fEtKPqtbxVr35X8K2RQD/s1600-h/100_0611.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzayD-saxr1x2Nwe4aFBzfXB4-p9Zl4o-eNOP3C5lzaT8OsvJTYleom1XfU4K92DP9dfCqGPPmLuEm_I6-yyKgqMqBLiRD-pmYg2gzjJyMSdLyaGKDPG_OKo8fEtKPqtbxVr35X8K2RQD/s400/100_0611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335188113381737698" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the group of us, all surfers fresh out of surf camp. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuhi-4vqk708gAipctG9HgcLkKSkDVqYeweovvn152zq_pXqK2aKOikhJZjxTHGzmBTEqrLcRFp10backOmuN3CWeIfv_DMPn3xdkLeBcdcb1dvG6baJ01OfHaA9xsr3CvH-M3vYXRrJ1/s1600-h/100_0605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuhi-4vqk708gAipctG9HgcLkKSkDVqYeweovvn152zq_pXqK2aKOikhJZjxTHGzmBTEqrLcRFp10backOmuN3CWeIfv_DMPn3xdkLeBcdcb1dvG6baJ01OfHaA9xsr3CvH-M3vYXRrJ1/s400/100_0605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335188115724255090" border="0" /></a><br />One of the days it was crappy on and off raining. We tried to go to the beach only to have it start pouring. Then we tried to do the light house climb, it's supposed to be very beautiful, only to have it start raining again. So, Mike, Lisa, and I went and saw the movie Star Trek, which was surprisingly not nerdy at all and an entertaining movie. <br /><br />The next day Damien and I had our surf lesson. Wow, that was brutal. The swell was 10.5 feet meaning that some waves were even bigger. It was brutal trying to surf them. Getting out 'the back', meaning behind where the waves break, took all your energy. I felt bad for the people who were there trying to learn for the first time. We went to 7 mile beach just below Byron because Mojosurf didn't have permission to teach surf on Main Beach in Byron. I did manage to catch a couple waves, but the effort in that outweighed the thrill. Compared to the surf at the camp or at Main beach it was insane. <br /><br />Right now I am in Surfers. I like it here, the city looks clean and beautiful. I like how the skyscrapers are right behind the beach. I will post some photos of the city after I take some good ones tomorrow. Tonight, the group of us are doing a pub crawl, which is a really good way to check out the night life here for cheap. There are going to be over 100 of us doing this to its sure to get a little crazy. But hey, no rest for the wicked, or when you're traveling and on vacation. <br /><br />I hope everyone is doing well. We'll talk soon. I have better internet here so that is great. <br /><br />Cheers mate,<br /><br />And<br /> Mea <br />rew<br /> desUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-81646038182347239132009-05-10T17:41:00.007+10:002009-05-11T11:14:29.711+10:00Spot X Surf Camp and whats going on in Byron BayWe left on the Greyhound at 9 pm on the 5<sup>th</sup> and drove for 8.5 hours. We arrived at the bus stop dark and early, and were waiting to be picked up by the Mojosurf van. I was brutally tired since I didn't manage to get much sleep on the bus, but here I am waiting. The guy was late to pick us up, we passed the time by making friends with two girls from Saskatchewan who got off the bus at the same time though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaxxJ5_VOaErUgyRV7eFDTqMq5ebK588-mrCY3A_3_WSRL7QjK_g3DKsMJsdfqnIMWGNVB6N11BmuaRx3QHdZORCAbxz3PufPSPxPz3OYMxB0oenEz8YLVi2JiM_A1sdiK8Hc8LqNLf4W/s1600-h/P1000869.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaxxJ5_VOaErUgyRV7eFDTqMq5ebK588-mrCY3A_3_WSRL7QjK_g3DKsMJsdfqnIMWGNVB6N11BmuaRx3QHdZORCAbxz3PufPSPxPz3OYMxB0oenEz8YLVi2JiM_A1sdiK8Hc8LqNLf4W/s400/P1000869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334364741798980130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The first day was raining and crappy. We went out at 9:30 and had our lesson. It was only <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">the four of us and the instructor which was great. I learnt the basics of how to stand up properly, and the correct footing positions. Most of the first lesson I already knew. I don't have any pictures from the first day due to the weather. No worries though.<br /><br />We spent the rest of the day trying to find something to do and spent the night partying around the camp fire with the other people in the camp.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkE02JBxW-ohvd_ue8aaj06qb9wl7fNDTWBcAMowhgpmXQC4Px7mJuSN1jp0UPAoO2VAdFXpBRU8_HZeb2gAPEDmdS8EMBrCr09sLS1am8Ml6rcDp9kUvo6OiXN1sS0HFm8peCEqhwGpV/s1600-h/P1000882.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkE02JBxW-ohvd_ue8aaj06qb9wl7fNDTWBcAMowhgpmXQC4Px7mJuSN1jp0UPAoO2VAdFXpBRU8_HZeb2gAPEDmdS8EMBrCr09sLS1am8Ml6rcDp9kUvo6OiXN1sS0HFm8peCEqhwGpV/s400/P1000882.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334365570392267490" border="0" /></a><br /> <br />The following day was beautiful. Our lesson was at 7 am so we were up bright and early, with not too bad a hang over as we did go to sleep early due to tiredness. I did better on this day, managing to get up and stay up for longer on the waves. We learnt a little more advanced technique for getting up, but again, not much more than I already knew. The instructor's on this day sucked to be honest. They didn't really care if we were improving out there and spent lots of time goofing off in the waves. The sun was out all day though with no hint of clouds. Umm, I dont have any pictures of me actually surfing at the surf camp. They wanted you to purchase them for $30 or more, and I did not want to. The pictures weren't even good quality and most of the were silouetted from the sun. <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">After our lesson we went out to the beach to hang, our posse now consisting of Mike and Lisa, a couple from Manitoba, Ashlea, a girl from Florida, Andy, a guy from the UK who lives in Japan and of course, Damien and I. It is actually the same group here with us in Byron as we are all sorta on the same traveling schedule. Now I know you are dying to see what the camp looked like, so here: </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">I'll insert a movie when can.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HNmYrBtfI73au6xNkTAHJlPzGLhjs7wyc13ATN4Ku-nB665tk6x2lcYXwpjfN7NLvwljjM9nYDIw_XLcgZ1UzTinwVbH4AlpDC9hnMxZ57TYkhXWuBeGtYan6yYscr1uBmpxtdyRbp3N/s1600-h/P1000973.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HNmYrBtfI73au6xNkTAHJlPzGLhjs7wyc13ATN4Ku-nB665tk6x2lcYXwpjfN7NLvwljjM9nYDIw_XLcgZ1UzTinwVbH4AlpDC9hnMxZ57TYkhXWuBeGtYan6yYscr1uBmpxtdyRbp3N/s400/P1000973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334365579987114418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioB6JW-bl6JNCnP_LVLJEqKbnP5_BaERzzTjSf89UkXxSW-IoG354eQ2K64T7chl_oCKlNbClysFzVeyxtyrx1bYnD5UaYEaWbPihaHiihYIwaWscHGDKwg9gbL77WoVm_aCUirOCOFWnZ/s1600-h/P1000966.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioB6JW-bl6JNCnP_LVLJEqKbnP5_BaERzzTjSf89UkXxSW-IoG354eQ2K64T7chl_oCKlNbClysFzVeyxtyrx1bYnD5UaYEaWbPihaHiihYIwaWscHGDKwg9gbL77WoVm_aCUirOCOFWnZ/s400/P1000966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334365575400242258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And then some pictures from the beach:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KR_ieoe2Fgd1XCPzzhmxIWc6IgHSvT80jpwwfczYLDpSSyzXVx8KPrvKno6ZIEtaJvxuwXaJbyHBXS_Oum8tFSIl8AiUUOsXBnK5WZOZedpg4AxEQ73s68T6Rsx_TuHX_JfxkxlWPYQY/s1600-h/100_0541.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KR_ieoe2Fgd1XCPzzhmxIWc6IgHSvT80jpwwfczYLDpSSyzXVx8KPrvKno6ZIEtaJvxuwXaJbyHBXS_Oum8tFSIl8AiUUOsXBnK5WZOZedpg4AxEQ73s68T6Rsx_TuHX_JfxkxlWPYQY/s400/100_0541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334100725271221682" border="0" /></a><br />Me lookin' cool<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopYFUhCKIsV8xjIpT8CO7SsUKIit0b6DmL7EQuDHfIp08aOWCh04AA6Jhku7cwLz49SViiQf6nAhXgHxxQzDgeFnv6VhNurDK63eoRr-Ou__JhSXfxaCjXVTuBYnl7VbbK4wjMzaLKyet/s1600-h/100_0573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopYFUhCKIsV8xjIpT8CO7SsUKIit0b6DmL7EQuDHfIp08aOWCh04AA6Jhku7cwLz49SViiQf6nAhXgHxxQzDgeFnv6VhNurDK63eoRr-Ou__JhSXfxaCjXVTuBYnl7VbbK4wjMzaLKyet/s400/100_0573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334100730827026066" border="0" /></a><br />There were these little crabs making balls of sand all along the beach.<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_i7yaywvFLVeElktDoocwtYrTEUBe0UgU7ExtBGWtoBYDpgJGzwGhp-bjw8b-PMXcAu7z8H03j2qlSjSpjJDu3UZhJkBdvp-VZy63vOUDTmBIzCtNhsykbsZBgkXrqy-g8Gh9w7MM8Wz/s1600-h/100_0575.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_i7yaywvFLVeElktDoocwtYrTEUBe0UgU7ExtBGWtoBYDpgJGzwGhp-bjw8b-PMXcAu7z8H03j2qlSjSpjJDu3UZhJkBdvp-VZy63vOUDTmBIzCtNhsykbsZBgkXrqy-g8Gh9w7MM8Wz/s400/100_0575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334364740426448146" border="0" /></a><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"> <br />The photographer, some fisherman, and a random surfer. The beach had a huge tidal zone by the way<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9bmWjwuyjHeZeiiNVNqRpisEt639J_A4it-wI4XqGxam8JZkqPdJ0eHs6RwHUk9-GXnpvRiMBbYJFrHZiZXc1QA_hVV8TFkePImooil7d3RDIzSnlahL5V4XeXlALPJP5oneGoL8Dtew/s1600-h/100_0536.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9bmWjwuyjHeZeiiNVNqRpisEt639J_A4it-wI4XqGxam8JZkqPdJ0eHs6RwHUk9-GXnpvRiMBbYJFrHZiZXc1QA_hVV8TFkePImooil7d3RDIzSnlahL5V4XeXlALPJP5oneGoL8Dtew/s400/100_0536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334100721787922418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The beach did have great waves to learn on. And the surf was good every day regardless of the weather.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">The next day was much of the same. Hung over wakenness, have breakfast, and a couple hours of surfing. The food was really good at the camp; I stuffed my face everyday. Damien and I actually left a day early to head to Byron Bay with all of the people we have met. Everyone else was leaving the camp that day so we did as well, which has turned out to have been a great decision. Here are some pictures from the second day:</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbvLKuUXMdcbYxNdZHN886PmLwYA3G9xXl5p48tT9PYEmphDCDLqWKW09NVsa-sqRTQ5_IYkp8JlDeu_TMFcFbPARh1bCZB5_Z4TeyTFLTgsvmHxDcoo6WrGXYCHx0-RBJnKJqHE3kz87/s1600-h/P1000937.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbvLKuUXMdcbYxNdZHN886PmLwYA3G9xXl5p48tT9PYEmphDCDLqWKW09NVsa-sqRTQ5_IYkp8JlDeu_TMFcFbPARh1bCZB5_Z4TeyTFLTgsvmHxDcoo6WrGXYCHx0-RBJnKJqHE3kz87/s400/P1000937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334365574706216898" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /><br />We hung out and watched the sun set on the beach.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6X0l22aKtow7lpO4Ou4ozNnWrhKhv991jBAvo3gYVC4BF97XsvHsqkzOUqrvpvdNvcV4Rn7AuDTjma0NgsPGsH_pl8Q_g48rUjVHoPNWBVSORSocSKOwmfLUxHG8YW0aJmM6uxGB7BnF/s1600-h/100_0592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6X0l22aKtow7lpO4Ou4ozNnWrhKhv991jBAvo3gYVC4BF97XsvHsqkzOUqrvpvdNvcV4Rn7AuDTjma0NgsPGsH_pl8Q_g48rUjVHoPNWBVSORSocSKOwmfLUxHG8YW0aJmM6uxGB7BnF/s400/100_0592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334364741274629122" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Damien, Ashlea, and Andy looking cool walking up the beach. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZoSLGyPYYLWW8RaAN9F8doJok7QQK9UGGTVdvOEED2EJJqgeT8Svcjaw-B5xM7bRJdlnSdtKdtTsxoVzGRz5CPsvIhdqYvjUqfra2XCTa-vSLIZopCqL99G8M4Mkc5Z-hyI0S_B6cEuZ/s1600-h/P1000903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZoSLGyPYYLWW8RaAN9F8doJok7QQK9UGGTVdvOEED2EJJqgeT8Svcjaw-B5xM7bRJdlnSdtKdtTsxoVzGRz5CPsvIhdqYvjUqfra2XCTa-vSLIZopCqL99G8M4Mkc5Z-hyI0S_B6cEuZ/s400/P1000903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334365571897484994" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">From the left: Me, Ashlea, John, Mike and Lisa. </p><br /><br /><br />Right now I am in Byron, sore, because we rented surfboards and were surfing all day today. Yesterday was a fun party night. Tonight is going to be a fun party night. Such is the life of a traveller it seems. We are meeting new people everyday which is great, adding more and more to our group. Our latest addition is our roommate, pronounced “yawn” I don't have the faintest idea how to spell it. He is from Switzerland, and can speak French with Damien. <br /><br />I will post an update and some pictures of us surfing here in Byron soon.<br /><br /><br />A MeedzUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-75778513318149583272009-05-09T16:11:00.003+10:002009-05-09T16:42:10.070+10:00Spot X surf camp goodness; Australia is full of Canadians...Hello all,<br /><br />Just thought I would throw up a quick post to update. Surf camp was awesome! The first day we got there it was crappy weather, raining and such, we still went out and had our lessons in the rain as it doesn't affect the surf. The next two days were beautiful. Sunny and the surf was great. What did suck though was that our lessons were at 7am, meaning we had to get up just after 6 for breakfast before hand. And considering we spent the nights partying it up with everyone, the mornings were rough. Surfing though, is an amazing hangover cure. <br /><br />Damien and I have met lots of people so far. Lots of Canadians to be honest. It is strange, it is sorta like you come to Australia to meet other Canadians ;) I've got Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and BC covered so far, and of course others who closer by me. Two of the people that worked at the surf camp lived near Toronto, one in Brampton, the other in Scarborough which is about 15 minutes away from home! <br /><br />I have lots of pictures of the surf camp and will upload some tomorrow. A bunch of us have <span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">met up here in Byron Bay and are going to head to the famous Cheeky Monkey's bar tonight. Tomorrow will be a day of surfing on one of the many beaches here in Byron. </span><br /><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00"></span><br /><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">I just wanted to let you all know I am still alive, and that my surfing skillz have increased ten-fold. Life is awesome, never forget that :)<br /></span><br /><p><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">Great Canadian Surfer,<br /><br /><br />AndreW MeadeS</span></p><p><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00"> </p><br /><br /></span><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-89366672613153059592009-05-06T07:00:00.000+10:002009-05-06T07:00:06.547+10:00Happy Birthday Nanny!!!!I would just like to wish you a very happy birthday nanny. Thank you for all your help. You are the best!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-79046549325591066412009-05-05T11:36:00.002+10:002009-05-05T12:56:47.048+10:00Time to travel...Ahhh not having internet at the apartment the last few nights has left me feeling like a part of me is missing. My internet part. It's a bad addiction I know...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">FINALLY</span>, it is time for me to travel. I've dreamed of this day for too long, and now that it is upon me there is a strange feeling. As excited to bid Sydney farewell, I know that I am going to miss this city. I know I am going to miss having an apartment where I can just leave things around where I want; you cannot do that in a hostel, at least if you want to keep your things. But yes, it is time for a change.<br /><br />First up: Surf camp at Spot X for 3 nights. Spot X is in a secret location 3 hours south of Byron Bay. <br />Then to Byron Bay for 3 nights.<br />Then it is to Brisbane I think, for a few nights. <br />That is as far as I have planned out right now. I like only having a week and a bit planned ahead, that way plans can change easily. <br /><br />I'm a little hung-over today, I won't lie. I went out bowling with IEP and my friends last night. Had some fun, said some goodbyes. I will see my friends again though when I stop back in Sydney for my flight I'm sure. <br /><br />Well, I need to go and finalize my packing and do my last minute preparations so I am going to go now. I will post at the surf camp if they have internet. Otherwise as soon as I get into Byron I will. So, my readers, I hope all is well for you for the next little while, and remember, never be afraid to head out into the unknown. Jump in feet first if you must, shake up your world a little when it gets too boring and mundane. I am. And I am going to have a life where I always will. <br /><br />Bye for now,<br /><br />ANDREW MEADES<br />is outta here :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-76973407542882043502009-05-04T21:17:00.000+10:002009-05-04T21:17:02.206+10:00Farewell Sydney<div>I am going to miss you.</div><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/46928cc51133af17/49ec59d013ed7b40/46928cc528ac0c6a/34ca225b/widget.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-59421411663959572792009-05-01T20:19:00.010+10:002009-05-01T23:15:30.921+10:005 months and I'd never been to Watson's Bay...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3C9AXWWvnLPiZepk4JlRuOE9vdVP27WpZWdWwdqoCxkcEd3KkM9OOnUc6HBe9i22o4VlL1FWmMTBXCg3uEOH2J-qjBwMYtx-zf1zgrl_SYBJWGSYVuGQUEGIDuBVoq8zyfgDxI4Lnoxn/s1600-h/100_0512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3C9AXWWvnLPiZepk4JlRuOE9vdVP27WpZWdWwdqoCxkcEd3KkM9OOnUc6HBe9i22o4VlL1FWmMTBXCg3uEOH2J-qjBwMYtx-zf1zgrl_SYBJWGSYVuGQUEGIDuBVoq8zyfgDxI4Lnoxn/s200/100_0512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330839194244449570" border="0" /></a>At about 2 o'clock today I ventured out to Watson's bay, a part of Sydney I had never been to before. Not even that, I didn't even think of heading there to be honest. It was only when my friend Brian posted on Twitter that he just came back from trip there, that it donned on me to go. Even as late in the day that I did end up there, it was still beautiful and awe-inspiring. Such an incredible view of the city is gained from there. Don't believe me? Here are some pictures.<br /><br />Also, I attempted to take some pictures of the birds there as well. That ain't easy. Kudos to professional bird photographers, they must have plenty of patience and a great eye.<br /><br />I took bus 380 to get there from my apartment. It was about a 45 minute bus ride. When I first arrived, I stepped out looking at Watson's bay, and took this picture of the city between a couple trees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4POg7_AvYjeMwOjo1HxSwGWXfUu3ITP_fbU6aRlQZiZDVo2vSHWee0wB69TWVXkYFjB0pK0WRJKMYVDvPkv5YW_27rc8kEi8Pj9dtfEligM2j_hHR5LLvxhuL8vYqxcCM31Han6LyuCFU/s1600-h/100_0466.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4POg7_AvYjeMwOjo1HxSwGWXfUu3ITP_fbU6aRlQZiZDVo2vSHWee0wB69TWVXkYFjB0pK0WRJKMYVDvPkv5YW_27rc8kEi8Pj9dtfEligM2j_hHR5LLvxhuL8vYqxcCM31Han6LyuCFU/s400/100_0466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330830923822357602" border="0" /></a><br />You can see the city ferry coming in the bottom right. There is also a ferry port here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBX_wsAM40-Tc3CuNOhKqxr-1LIMVtY06wx5STZuNH7j_TyeZioX9lAlXF88f8AwerqDI9jaLD0mk_g7JJ7zvr6MNAc52ts7WkHc5acnc2y85KUKiQXigkDFLX_jmB5JDAsa7TM62Ltbs/s1600-h/100_0469.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBX_wsAM40-Tc3CuNOhKqxr-1LIMVtY06wx5STZuNH7j_TyeZioX9lAlXF88f8AwerqDI9jaLD0mk_g7JJ7zvr6MNAc52ts7WkHc5acnc2y85KUKiQXigkDFLX_jmB5JDAsa7TM62Ltbs/s400/100_0469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330833322116430418" border="0" /></a><br />I turned and continued up to Gap Park and took this video of my view.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JDCPO-Si27E&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JDCPO-Si27E&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />No dogs allowed. $150 if you climb over the fence. I was tempted to at some points.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yca51tu-FBzQL54W4ktvbH2DPIv2-CqpaGEg97uIisktxZL-dqbUm_Y1iEQF-OhGFauq2_CerlreRO4NB2wkn4j6CXS72xclfFBale02OXGPAKlwJlUPJDyQEf9gW0A_2x0ttfxbzRHZ/s1600-h/100_0473.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yca51tu-FBzQL54W4ktvbH2DPIv2-CqpaGEg97uIisktxZL-dqbUm_Y1iEQF-OhGFauq2_CerlreRO4NB2wkn4j6CXS72xclfFBale02OXGPAKlwJlUPJDyQEf9gW0A_2x0ttfxbzRHZ/s400/100_0473.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330833322758682018" border="0" /></a><br />It's a shear cliff face that looks like its been made that way by human means. I'm sure to save us from it collapsing while on it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ7fY_p965vLyeby7tfDn-GNpakERMGE6Ji0L-uCOJV7T47ux7HW87AP7kGo4vAX2bQZz0W9ym6b44rHj50y4ifGTq5AcYQjlZ6uIw4CPhZlNmhPOZTaWhbXtvkAB5IQdOs3-k_qyfHYX/s1600-h/100_0474.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ7fY_p965vLyeby7tfDn-GNpakERMGE6Ji0L-uCOJV7T47ux7HW87AP7kGo4vAX2bQZz0W9ym6b44rHj50y4ifGTq5AcYQjlZ6uIw4CPhZlNmhPOZTaWhbXtvkAB5IQdOs3-k_qyfHYX/s400/100_0474.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330835337572508914" border="0" /></a><br />I followed along the paths for about 10 minutes, listened to the birds chirping. I could have sworn I heard monkeys, I don't know why or how, but I did. I eventually came to the end of the line. Onwards was another park that I didn't have access to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCfvcbo9_1eFuI468ryxRJlTrevAwgYns7pAga4dyaqb6NagPOhDtsFmJCqRF43dJQslrwGinLT4s39xeCnP-qIrlOhmsVxwPBecfU9mENICcy643d2OeGblqWMxrqchXug0o4HzDPJQC/s1600-h/100_0482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCfvcbo9_1eFuI468ryxRJlTrevAwgYns7pAga4dyaqb6NagPOhDtsFmJCqRF43dJQslrwGinLT4s39xeCnP-qIrlOhmsVxwPBecfU9mENICcy643d2OeGblqWMxrqchXug0o4HzDPJQC/s400/100_0482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330835338951106610" border="0" /></a><br />From there you could see the opening to Sydney Harbour.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MSvfTblCe53u2vbyjBgx7NzVynhQBb039ttUnZ1qbzsJP5VC0MRoqCB1ojiqHRVMTnz7ngj9m97Y0bJ3EYQ66mZLcGjroOKEqR7CUJROtyfV4HxkHh-L3_OYi4eta4XE4mxiwxjXYo52/s1600-h/100_0480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MSvfTblCe53u2vbyjBgx7NzVynhQBb039ttUnZ1qbzsJP5VC0MRoqCB1ojiqHRVMTnz7ngj9m97Y0bJ3EYQ66mZLcGjroOKEqR7CUJROtyfV4HxkHh-L3_OYi4eta4XE4mxiwxjXYo52/s400/100_0480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330835344838785074" border="0" /></a><br />Someone cut their name into this plant. BHJ 06-07, really wanted to be remembered but was too lazy to scratch it into the rock like everyone else. Sigh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmssGhqLShTjzPjvzg9Ns_jIxgLuUJ1C9BybzOd8wRlK3k8eF8lA_gziUmDOvu5_VkqUG8nubig-Js4VD3arSeoHKwdMQzqoFEoHLrUdThWYu71u2aO3G1mf6YBQitLLltWHgh7KUmPCUA/s1600-h/100_0487.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmssGhqLShTjzPjvzg9Ns_jIxgLuUJ1C9BybzOd8wRlK3k8eF8lA_gziUmDOvu5_VkqUG8nubig-Js4VD3arSeoHKwdMQzqoFEoHLrUdThWYu71u2aO3G1mf6YBQitLLltWHgh7KUmPCUA/s400/100_0487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330837764533624994" border="0" /></a><br />I then took this video of the view from one of the highest points. I didn't manage to capture a big splash at the end like I wanted.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hoxmgbsudw0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hoxmgbsudw0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />A shot of the view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vLHfVA_YxmF-wO_qblrJ5nK0HBVVcneD2sFUZwzjq_KfacWLpK7GJDb3fZOt3YSVB1Li7VavnQyzea7j1H_kOk5vhNv0BXHet4sXKW4g0KmkYcWK7_S2r0deoMzCQm2L_i-bvNENAOna/s1600-h/100_0490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vLHfVA_YxmF-wO_qblrJ5nK0HBVVcneD2sFUZwzjq_KfacWLpK7GJDb3fZOt3YSVB1Li7VavnQyzea7j1H_kOk5vhNv0BXHet4sXKW4g0KmkYcWK7_S2r0deoMzCQm2L_i-bvNENAOna/s400/100_0490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330837766351372338" border="0" /></a><br />I then headed down to the bus stop to catch my ride back home. The bus stop is not that far from the best viewpoint.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyUayIt8ZrE3iWvb23LHbGsHMQe-rbpzy4xrkjYH_VAV_f7cvEOHJ7m_9j0BnjgwkhE8UslCiI7st8S7wH4wIb85DBygY5Rf3oac0L_9-ZRep-MsWEzeB0jQROgWubQ79OmxW1bJwn4jE/s1600-h/100_0492.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyUayIt8ZrE3iWvb23LHbGsHMQe-rbpzy4xrkjYH_VAV_f7cvEOHJ7m_9j0BnjgwkhE8UslCiI7st8S7wH4wIb85DBygY5Rf3oac0L_9-ZRep-MsWEzeB0jQROgWubQ79OmxW1bJwn4jE/s400/100_0492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330837777448709986" border="0" /></a><br />Then while waiting for the bus drivers break to end I went around trying to take some pictures of the colourful birds you see around here. I did manage this nice one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxieXsRLO6I4Jt4f-KW7Z9-H0d1pGfjv6HVE8hufHMbEJTIDajIBUYJCyL_TcmOehrBdYe-pqQd_Csv1pzFmA-Hwq2RNzJQrtNnmqtGBCbJeoYxT_OdHryYY9949UBdr1g_W2WiqrE3x5/s1600-h/100_0499.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxieXsRLO6I4Jt4f-KW7Z9-H0d1pGfjv6HVE8hufHMbEJTIDajIBUYJCyL_TcmOehrBdYe-pqQd_Csv1pzFmA-Hwq2RNzJQrtNnmqtGBCbJeoYxT_OdHryYY9949UBdr1g_W2WiqrE3x5/s400/100_0499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330837780098034114" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a map of the Bondi Explorer bus route. This is not the bus I took, though you can use the map to get the gist of where I was. As you can see, I am all the way out on the far point, #10, and I live right at #17.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBzpWpzdDf5Zg6HJ3dG7ByZookes7lwmI4G5xJUr8LztJG8O857nSeYpybWwEAnaaeOtjJtBv31fLEATCxhl0dM2a6cBa42Udz1hBExZ_DwZu4k9FHDlJXqf-4-4ge79nJXfZ2atl_kuv/s1600-h/100_0511.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBzpWpzdDf5Zg6HJ3dG7ByZookes7lwmI4G5xJUr8LztJG8O857nSeYpybWwEAnaaeOtjJtBv31fLEATCxhl0dM2a6cBa42Udz1hBExZ_DwZu4k9FHDlJXqf-4-4ge79nJXfZ2atl_kuv/s400/100_0511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330838556352759026" border="0" /></a><br />And so yeah, that was my adventure for the day. I saw an area of Sydney I hadn't before and I am glad that I did. Next up before I leave, Maroubra Beach.<br /><br />Here is the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2295808&id=120809150&l=7dd24af042">facebook album</a> if you would like more pictures.<br /><br />Have a great day/afternoon/night, where ever you may be.<br /><br />ANDReW MEADeSUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211870310317288459.post-75845541515459872542009-04-30T20:06:00.000+10:002009-04-30T20:06:19.815+10:00I'm blogging from Picasa<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn_Uy3G_y4rJ4QK5QU9u-bZXcSQEWaUVmlzPm_9MlGeFz5UCyxC7J5BPoFE7g1YwAuUpxTYX8VGjprLyNUl1TynbngFmV1NXYUeCRoldMgETCgLHzekog5IxF4CSWb6rHPWPrqu2zYyzI/s1600-h/100_0448.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn_Uy3G_y4rJ4QK5QU9u-bZXcSQEWaUVmlzPm_9MlGeFz5UCyxC7J5BPoFE7g1YwAuUpxTYX8VGjprLyNUl1TynbngFmV1NXYUeCRoldMgETCgLHzekog5IxF4CSWb6rHPWPrqu2zYyzI/s400/100_0448.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div>Yeah I'm just testing out uploading my pictures straight from the Picasa program to see how they turn out. Picasa is an awesome picture manager. It is simple to use and allows for easy photo touch-ups.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0